Work will begin this week at the Songs of Selma Park to replace decayed wood along the park’s viewing deck overlooking the Alabama River and the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

The park, located on Water Avenue next to the foot of the bridge, has been closed to the public for the past few weeks due to the rotted wood on the deck.

On Thursday, Mayor James Perkins met with Tommy Williams, the renovation project’s contractor, and Public Works department head Tommy Smith at the park to discuss plans for the renovation.

The Louisiana-Pacific Building Products Company in Selma donated WeatherBest composite wood decking to the city for the renovation project.

WeatherBest wood, according to the company’s Web site, has the look and feel of natural wood with none of the traditional maintenance.

WeatherBest’s wood grain does not require painting or staining and is resistant to termites, rot and decay.

“We really appreciate (the LP) contribution,” Perkins said. “This is an opportunity let the public know about this company and better enjoy the park.”

Don Miller, LP plant manger, said the donation is a way of saying thanks to a city that has provided the company with top-notch employees since its opening in 2000.

“I’ve been to a lot of places, and Selma has the finest workforce I’ve ever seen,” he said.

Terry Hastings, the company’s maintenance manger, said the company has experienced record production numbers since last year.

“This is due to our employees, who are dedicated, loyal and stay on top of things,” Hastings said.

Perkins said work at the park is set to begin on Feb. 18.