The centennial restoration's heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system was also not adequate. "It can be 130° F in the crown and very humid," says Duffy. In fact, the crown had to be closed to visitors eight to 10 days each year because of the high temperatures.

When all is done, the monument, including the tiered, roofed fort on which the statue and pedestal stand, will look almost exactly the same. The only noticeable difference will be new egress staircases on the roof of the fort—a star in plan. The stairs will take visitors from existing doors on opposite sides of the monument at the pedestal base. Each stair will continue across the roof tiers and down onto the lowest level of the roof, then continue down into the fort itself through an opening cut into the roof, much like a subway entrance.

Duffy says the project is on schedule to open in October. Though the public cannot enter the monument during the renovation, they can watch the work from a safe distance. Liberty Island itself will stay open throughout the job.