The drive for motorists entering and exiting Friendswood on FM 2351 has become more scenic lately as a result of a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Nick Haby, planning manager for the city of Friendswood, said the project—which started in May—should be complete by the end of the year.

The design for the project, which focused on landscaping the medians on FM 2351 from Beamer Road to the Clear Creek bridge, was done through the city's Community Development Department in partnership with Asakura Robinson Co. The landscape architecture, planning and urban design company also provided the landscaping for Sugar Land Town Center and MD Anderson Park in the Houston Medical Center.

Haby said the city also used the project as an opportunity to install an irrigation system for the medians as well as to add water and sewer lines along FM 2351.

Haby said that while the project is not complete, residents are taking notice.

"We are pleased with the look of the landscaping," Haby said. "We have also received a number of compliments. We think it has certainly improved the look of that corridor."

James Toney, director of community services for the city of Friendswood, said flexibility was the idea behind the design for the landscaping.

"We wanted to create something that allowed us some leeway if plants or trees died," he said. "We wanted to be able to replace trees and plants as the budget allowed, without the medians looking as if something was missing."

Meetings

Friendswood City Council

Meets at 4:30 p.m. on the first Monday of every month. Its next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5.

910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood

281-996-3200, www.ci.friendswood.tx.us