There’s an effort underway to raise at least 200-thousand dollars in private donations to repair and restore some of the monuments on the statehouse grounds. Bill Dikis is chairman of the Iowa Capitol Planning Commission.
For 25 years, Dikis was the architect in charge of the project to restore the capitol building. He’s now a volunteer on the project to restore some of the 44 statues, fountains and memorial “markers” on the state capitol complex.
The Soldiers and Sailors monument recognizing Iowans who served in the Civil War sits directly south of the capitol. It was completed in 1896 and Dikis says the elements are taking a toll on the 135-foot-tall monument.
The 2016 legislature set aside up to 100-thousand dollars in matching fund for upkeep of these monuments, if the private fundraising effort raises 200-thousand dollars by 2018. About 15-hundred dollars has been raised so far. The fundraiser formally kicks off tonight (Monday) with a presentation at the “Yankee Doodle Pops” concert on the capitol steps. Go to www.radioiowa.com to find the mailing address for sending donations.
