Indianapolis monument needs more work than expected

Officials say repairs to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis won't be done before this May's Indianapolis 500 activities as hoped.

Crews repairing and restoring bronze artwork and limestone components of the downtown landmark are set to wrap up in late August, three months later than the project's original completion date. Crews started putting up scaffolding around the 112-year-old tower Oct. 27.

Indiana War Memorial Commission director Stewart Goodwin said the tough winter limited the amount of time crews could work. Contractors also found severe weather damage on the monument's stone and bronze figures.

Goodwin said that while costly scaffolding is in place, crews should do as much restoration as possible to help delay the need for future work.

Visitors can still access the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, gift shop and observation deck in the monument during the project.