City seeks help to restore icon

City Hall is looking for help from the state and a group of local philanthropists to fund the restoration of a downtown monument dedicated to people who fought in the Civil War.

The city will apply for a $150,000 grant from the state Environmental Protection Fund program to defray a majority of the estimated $200,000 cost to preserve, clean and restore the 50-foot-tall Soldier and Sailors monument.

The statue was given to the city in June 1891. It has received minimal maintenance since it was erected.

A report compiled last year by Conservation Solutions Inc., Santa Fe, N.M., states the monument is in no danger of falling over, although the stone and joints are deteriorating, the bronze statues are corroding, and rust and calcite are staining portions of the stone.

While the city is looking to Albany for help paying for a majority of the project, it anticipates that a local group will raise a portion of the $50,000 needed as a match for the grant.

"There has been some interest in the community about launching a small volunteer fundraising campaign," City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said. "I don't know who'd be involved. I haven't had those conversations yet."

The city's ethics code states city officials are barred from asking residents to pay for projects beyond what is levied in taxes. That means an outside entity would have to step up to solicit money.

Rande S. Richardson, chairman of the Governor Flower Monument Committee, said there is interest among the group's membership about raising funds for the monument.

The governor's monument committee was formed to raise money used to preserve and restore the statue on the 200 block of Washington Street.

Mr. Richardson said he will wait to hear if the city is awarded the grant before speaking with committee members about beginning a fundraising campaign. A grass-roots campaign is possible, he said, although the mechanics of it still need to be set up.

The City Council also has the ability to amend the city budget to include funds for the project.

"I think it's clear that there are a few landmark structures in downtown, and this is certainly one of them," Mr. Richardson said. "There's unique interest in it because of the connection with the military, and I think people see it as not only that, but what it represents for downtown."

A budget bill — that includes EPF funding cuts — passed last week by state lawmakers may reduce the city's chances at being awarded the grant.

Mrs. Corriveau said she was unsure if that bill will affect the city's grant application.