Alki's miniature Statue of Liberty - weather-worn, cracked and vandalized - might soon be recast and re-enshrined with commemorative pavers and a new plaza at Alki Beach.

Northwest Programs for the Arts, which stages the Seattle Music Fest at Alki Beach in the summer, spearheaded a fund-raising campaign for a bronze cast of the statue. The nonprofit organization also arranged for architects to donate their design skills for a new base and a small plaza around the base of the statue. People bought commemorative bricks to be installed around it.

Northwest Programs for the Arts has been meeting with Seattle Parks and Recreation officials to see which design ideas are acceptable to the city, said Adam Sheridan, director of Northwest Programs for the Arts.

An open public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 6 at the Alki Bathhouse to discuss the future of the statue and its setting. Two proposals for a new base and plaza are to be presented. If meeting attendees clearly favor one design over others, the design and cost estimates could be finalized shortly. Then if the work is approved by Seattle Parks and Recreation, construction would begin after the summer season ends, Sheridan said.

The statue stands at Alki Beach Park largely because Seattle was once called New York Alki, meaning "New York, eventually."

Lady Liberty, which consists of copper sheeting covering a plaster form, was donated to the city by the Boy Scouts of America in 1952. Gen. Douglas MacArthur attended the dedication ceremony.

Decades of saltwater spray eroded the 7-foot symbol. Vandals cut off the arm holding the torch and it was missing for many months until it mysteriously reappeared in the alley behind nearby businesses. The torch arm was reattached only to be torn off again three years ago.

Meanwhile other miscreants stole Lady Liberty's spiked crown, which hasn't been found.

The kitschy little statue took on new significance Sept. 11, 2001, when hundreds of Seattle residents made a spontaneous pilgrimage to the Alki Beach monument in honor of New York City and loss of the World Trade Center. Hundreds of flowers, candles, photographs and American flags were left at the statue in homage.

Tim St. Clair can be contacted at 932-0300 or tstclair@robinsonnews.com