MERRILLVILLE | Residents may notice a change at the Merrillville/Ross Township Veterans Memorial site on 73rd Avenue once the weather turns warmer.

Town Councilman Richard Hardaway, also Veterans Memorial Committee chairman, said the committee is planning to complete some improvements at the memorial when the cold weather breaks.

Workers will focus on finishing construction of a parking lot and landscaping, Hardaway said. Commemorative engraved bricks the committee sold to supporters also will be placed at the plaza.

The memorial's centerpiece, a statue commemorating all branches of the U.S. military, was placed at the site in July after taking up residence at the Town Hall parking lot since November 2006. Hardaway said workers also completed the curbing and some landscaping at the location last year.

"It's starting to take shape," Hardaway said.

While excited to get more work done, Hardaway said it's difficult generating enough money to finish the project, which has been funded completely through donations.

The committee has generated some money by selling the commemorative bricks, but it hasn't sold as many bricks as it anticipated.

Hardaway said a brick that sold recently is the first in months. He said the committee has sold about 400 bricks so far, but there are 3,400 to 3,500 bricks left to sell.

He said donations for the memorial also have decreased, but Hooters restaurant in Merrillville continues to be one of the most consistent supporters. The restaurant donated about $6,000 to the memorial last year, Hardaway said.

Hardaway thinks the economy may be responsible for the drop in donations, but he intends to continue fundraising to finish the project.