The Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project committee has succeeded -- just days before deadline -- in raising the funds to cover construction costs for a new pedestal and plaza for the Alki statue.

"From what we can tell, it looks like we will definitely be meeting our goal," wrote Libby Carr, co-chair for the committee, in an e-mail to the West Seattle Blog www.westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=5155#more-5155 .

The final total will be announced here Wednesday.

A week ago, Carr was looking for the last $25,000. Early last Thursday, she was within $15,000. On Friday -- as reported on committee's Web site www.sealady.org/finance.html Sunday -- she had received the balance in pledges.

"Although we have yet to actually collect most of that (in) cash," she warned.

The committee's goal was to raise at least $157,000, to cover construction costs estimated for a new pedestal, a brick-paved plaza, benches and landscaping, plus cover fund-raising expenses.

Though active solicitation for funds ends Tuesday at midnight, Carr said she will continue to accept donations after the deadline. Two benches, two landscape plaques -- and more than five thousand bricks -- remain to be bought.

"We want a bit of a cushion," said Carr, to cover the increased cost of concrete, the addition of backs to the benches, and any other cost overruns.

With most of the plaza still blank, Carr will also continue accepting orders for personalized bricks, until Kenadar, the company in Tacoma which will engrave them, asks for the donors' inscriptions.

Carr said she plans to call the Mayor's office and Seattle Parks and Recreation Tuesday afternoon. She will give them preliminary numbers, so they may begin their review process, ask for changes, and put the project up for construction bids.