Statue of Liberty to close for renovations

Lady Liberty is getting a makeover.

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced in a statement Wednesday that the Statue of Liberty will close for a year because it is due for an internal renovation that will make the monument in New York harbor more user-friendly and compliant with safety code. The project will cost $27.25 million.

Liberty Island will remain open, officials said.

"Two years ago, when we reopened Lady Liberty's crown to visitors for the first time since the September 11 attacks, I promised that we would continue to upgrade the interior to make it safer and more accessible for all," Salazar said in the statement.

"With today's announcement, we are taking a major step in bringing a 19th century icon into the 21st century."

Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corp. of Pine Brook, N.J., was awarded the contract to bring the statue's stairways up to code.

It also will update mechanical, electrical and fire-suppression systems, revamp elevators and upgrade restrooms.

Officials tout the improvements as developments that will allow more visitors to access the monument, its pedestal and museum.

The statue will be open for visiting until Oct. 28, which marks the 125th anniversary of its dedication, officials said.

Work on the interior of the monument begins after that.