Westgate Park’s larger than life concrete letters A and C got their B back and are once again a complete ABC set, thanks to the work of Westgate Neighbors Association (WNA) volunteers.
To mark the occasion, the WNA will hold a public ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration at 11 a.m. Sept. 19.
The concrete A-B-C letters were first displayed outside the entrance to Lazarus at Westland Mall. When the mall was enclosed in the 1980s, the letters were moved to Westgate Park. In the 1990s the letter B was destroyed by a runaway car. For nearly 20 years after, the A and C stood alone, frustrating residents.
In 2013, WNA took on the project of replacing the letter B, working with the city of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, engineers, contractors and the artist. After nearly two years of planning and preparation, the new B was ready to be installed. The B weighs as much as a full-grown rhinoceros and required a crane to lift and restore the letter to its rightful place with the A and C. The move onto a newly poured pad was made on May 29 of this year, and the final coat of paint was applied to the letters on Aug. 22.
The ribbon cutting and celebration is open to the public and will include ABC face-painting, music, ice cream and treats for the kids. Residents are encouraged to share their memories and bring old photos of the ABC.
