HAMMOND | Weather conditions at Wolf Lake make the site unsuitable for placement of a near-full-sized replica of the Statue of Liberty, according to a structural engineer hired by the city.

The biggest issue is the wind, followed by year-round exposure to ultraviolet light, Don Corson, of Indianapolis-based American Structurepoint, told the Redevelopment Commission on Tuesday night.

Commissioners wanted to know if the 130-foot, 50,000 pound resin-coated foam replica -- created by a Griffith printing company for an indoor trade convention in July -- could endure as a permanent monument on an island in the far north side natural lake.

"The statue is truly a remarkable work of art," Corson said, "But it is just that -- a work of art."

Not only is its high-tech coating unsuitable for year-round exterior installation, Corson said, but steel bars holding the 377 pieces together were designed for craftsmanship, not engineering, and would all have to be replaced.