When her makeover is finished, should Alki's Statue of Liberty face north into Puget Sound or east toward the rest of Seattle?

The diminutive copper-sheet replica is scheduled for a new, more rugged bronze casting set on a new base in a more defined plaza. But at an April 6 public meeting in the Alki Bathhouse, it was the direction of Lady Liberty's gaze that was the most pressing concern.

About 30 people attended the meeting to discuss two design schemes presented by Northwest Programs for the Arts, the nonprofit organization that's heading up a fund-raising campaign to refurbish the statue and dress up its setting. Architectural designer Matt Hutchins and architect Christopher Ezzell presented the plans.

One proposal is for the bronze statue to stand atop a 6 foot, 6 inch pedestal shaped like a shuttlecock, but with facets. The commemorative bricks that people have been buying to help pay for the project would be set in a radial pattern around the pedestal.

The second scheme being considered is for the statue to stand atop a pedestal of three cylinders or "drums," with a thin layer of luminous glass under the base. The plaza in this scenario would be shaped like a wave, so the statue would be moved about 15 feet west of its current location. The commemorative bricks would be installed in the plaza in this scheme too.

Vandalism has plagued the statue for many years, so both of the proposed pedestals are designed to be more difficult to climb. Both schemes also would have lighting embedded in the plaza for artistic as well as security purposes.

Wooden benches and landscaping would be set around the edges of the plaza in either scheme too.

The final design could end up as a mixture of features, said Adam Sheridan, director of Northwest Programs for the Arts. That includes the direction which the new bronze Lady Liberty will face.

In Proposal No. 1, the statue would face north toward Puget Sound, as it does today.

The statue would face east in Proposal No. 2. That's because most of those at an earlier public meeting told Northwest Programs for the Arts to turn Lady Liberty, Sheridan said.

People reasoned then that most visitors to Alki Beach arrive by car from the east and the first thing they see is Lady Liberty's backside, he said.

They also thought turning the statue to face east would make the Olympic Mountains the backdrop for photos of the statue.

People at the earlier meeting said "loud and clear" they wanted the statue turned eastward, Sheridan said, so he was surprised to hear a raft of differing comments at the April 6 meeting, where most people spoke in favor of keeping Lady Liberty facing north toward the water.

Among those recommending the statue continue to face north was Jackie Ramels, an Alki resident who was recently appointed as the newest member of the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners.

"The U.S. is open to people coming from outside the country," Ramels said. "Turning (the statue) around is a bad idea."

Another woman agreed the statue should look the same northerly direction. She told the small crowd that the statue was painted pink during the Vietnam War.

"It's not about me," the woman said. "It's about her."

Someone suggested turning the statue to face west. But then it would have its back to even more people, Hutchins said.

"Symbolism is really important," another person implored.

Pat Filer, former director of the Log House Museum, urged that the West Seattle Sea Scouts be recognized as part of the new statue since they instigated the statue.

The statue's original plaques will be attached to whichever pedestal is selected, Sheridan said.

Another design consideration is the asphalt walkway that leads to the statue from the sidewalk along Alki Avenue. Seattle Parks and Recreation trucks use it as a service road to get to the Alki promenade and beach, so the new plaza must allow space for vehicles.

Design issues aren't the only unresolved parts of the project.

So far, Northwest Programs for the Arts has raised about $35,000, Sheridan said. Depending on what the final design includes, between $30,000 and $50,000 more is needed, he said. It could be less if some of the people who do the work will contribute their talents for free.

Another potential expense depends on whether or not the project will require a shoreline permit, Sheridan said. That could add $5,000 to $20,000 to the cost of the project, he said.

If enough money is raised, the city OKs permits and no state shoreline permit is needed, work could begin soon next autumn.

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