Patricia Rengifo
Hamburg Reporter

With the help of the public and the City of Hamburg, the memorial restoration project in city park is even closer to reality.

To date, the Hamburg American Legion has collected about $20,000 in donations for the restoration of the veterans war memorial in the park.

The estimated cost of the work will be between $35,000 and $38,000.

Legion members say even though they have not reached their final goal yet, they are planning to meet with the contractor as soon as possible to get work started.

During that time, they will continue to accept donations. If they do not raise enough money, the City of Hamburg will kick in the remainder.

“The city agreed to help, but they want us to get as much as we can,” Bob Haun said.

The public improvement project will do more than just clean and restore the monument. The work will include the addition of a 27 by 25 foot steel roof over the stage. It will cover the entire structure and extend to the end of the stage, allowing public activities, even in the case of poor weather.

Other work included in the project is the installation of lights, brick repair, a new flag pole, plaque repair , cleaning and moving the steps from the front to the side, a new wheelchair ramp, new sidewalk and added privacy walls in front of the restroom entrances.

Legion members say it is their goal to have the project completed before the end of summer so it can be enjoyed by the public during Popcorn Day.

“The city agreed to help, but they want us to get as much as we can,” Bob Haun said.

The public improvement project will do more than just clean and restore the monument. The work will include the addition of a 27 by 25 foot steel roof over the stage. It will cover the entire structure and extend to the end of the stage, allowing public activities, even in the case of poor weather.

Other work included in the project is the installation of lights, brick repair, a new flag pole, plaque repair , cleaning and moving the steps from the front to the side, a new wheelchair ramp, new sidewalk and added privacy walls in front of the restroom entrances.

Legion members say it is their goal to have the project completed before the end of summer so it can be enjoyed by the public during Popcorn Day.