Published: November 13, 2009 09:28 am      

Reopening of Indy monument delayed

INDIANAPOLIS — Work to repair and renovate the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis is taking longer than expected.

The landmark was closed in mid-September for what was expected to be a monthlong project to fix damage caused by rain leaking into the observation deck atop the 284-foot monument.

Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin of the Indiana War Memorials Commission says additional problems found as work continued have pushed back reopening of the observation deck until after Thanksgiving Day.

He says repairs were needed to five of the 16 steel supports for the observation deck and the “Lady Victory” statue. Crews also have installed new vertical windows for the observation deck to prevent the water leaks from the previous slanted windows.