The Friendswood downtown district will undergo beautification improvements after City Council approved a package of amenities at its Aug. 3 meeting that will be added along FM 518. By a 6-1 vote, the council elected to install brick pavers, benches and lights downtown, but decided against including trees in the beautification project. “At this point I’ll take what I can get,” Council Member Carl Gustafson said. “I would’ve liked [to include] the trees as well.” The brick pavers, benches and lights will be installed along City Hall, Fire Station No. 1 and Stevenson Park, city officials said. As per a recommendation from Keep Friendswood Beautiful, the display sign at Stevenson Park will be replaced. KFB plans to donate $10,000 toward the cost of the new sign. The total cost of the improvements is estimated at $147,748, according to city staff. The approximately $65,000 in enhancements for City Hall and Fire Station No. 1 will be paid from the general fund balance, and the remaining $82,000 for the Stevenson Park improvements will be funded by the 2013 parks bond. City staff is in the process of selecting engineering and surveying services. Friendswood City Council The next City Council regular meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 14. 910 S. Friendswood Drive