Supreme Court Grounds Beautification

The Supreme Court Grounds Beautification Project

The Supreme Court Beautification Project is a state-wide effort of the county bars and private attorneys of South Carolina. It consists of placing a wall along Sumter Street, providing additional lighting to the parking lot, establishing proper shade trees in the parking lot, and replacing asphalt with permeable concrete pavers.

View of current Supreme Court Parking lot

The goals of the South Carolina Supreme Court Beautification Project are to:

  • Increase the safety of the Court and its staff;
  • Preserve the high standards of integrity and honor in the legal profession by honoring the Court with a beautiful workspace;
  • Reduce the amount of stormwater shed by the parking lot;
  • Eliminate the pooling of stormwater in the parking lot;
  • Stop the stormwater from entering the basement of the Supreme Court building;
  • Remove the heat island next to the Supreme Court building; and
  • Transform a spot that is objectively ugly into a place that is objectively attractive.

What the Project Plan Includes

  • Provide several trees in the parking lot. The trees will provide shade, reduce stormwater runoff, and make the area more attractive.
  • Reduce, if not eliminate, stormwater runoff by using permeable concrete pavers. The water will soak back into the ground rather than running into the building or polluting our rivers and creeks. These pavers will save the State of South Carolina approximately $1,000.00 a year in stormwater fees and enhance the appearance of the space.
  • Rid this area of a sweltering heat island in the summer. Trees and concrete (as opposed to a patch of asphalt) will significantly reduce the temperature of the area.
  • Make something that is objectively ugly, objectively attractive.
  • Provide additional cameras, lighting, and fencing, affording increased safety to the Judiciary and Court employees.
  • Serve as a template for future parking lot projects across South Carolina.
Future Supreme Court Plans

We hope that you will join us in our efforts. All donations are tax deductible.

Please make the check out to The South Carolina Bar Foundation and note the “FOR” section on the check as Supreme Court Beautification Project. Mail checks to:

Mandy Wren, Executive Director
Richland County Bar Association
PO Box 7632
Columbia, SC 29202

You can also make donations via credit card by clicking on the button below:

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