South Carolina’s multi-year $14.5 million plan to beautify the east side of Williams-Brice Stadium and its surrounding areas through ‘neighborhood transformation’ according to the university is nearing its final phase, one that should be finished by next year’s home opener and includes a statue of former Heisman winner George Rogers.

According to a recent report from John Whittle of TheBigSpur.com, the Gamecocks’ iconic ballcarrier will be the focal point of a fan-friendly area located at the northwest corner outside the stadium.

“That’s the part across the street from Gamecock Park where the current marquee is,” chief operating officer Kevin O’Connell said last week on local Columbia station 107.5 FM. “That’s where we envision the statue going. Well over 200 trees on the plaza, over $800,000 in landscaping — trees, sod, shrubs — it’s going to be spectacular.”

Here’s a recent rendering published in The State newspaper:

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Renovations also include a new bookstore, additional parking spaces and the removal of eyesore areas now replaced with greenery.

In recent years, gameday enhancements — including a new state-of-the-art scoreboard as well as the destruction of the nearby farmer’s market across the street — have helped revitalize the 80-year-old venue. Gamecock Park, an upscale parking and tailgate area complete with shaded tent zones and public restrooms, opened in 2012 and has been well received by fans.

The former farmer’s market site also includes an open space lined by bricks and scarlet oaks known as Garnet Way, an area designed for the cheerleaders, players and coaches’ walk to the stadium on gamedays.

In  a few months, Gamecocks supporters won’t recognize the once asphalt-barricaded and ominous pre-game feel along Bluff Road. South Carolina officials are hoping the renovations make the 80,000-seat Williams-Brice one of the SEC’s premiere venues and improves season ticket sales which have dropped dramatically in the first few ‘offseason’ weeks following a 6-6 finish.