LANSING | Lansing has added a new focal point to its skyline. A 40-feet tall clock tower, which weighs about 22,000 pounds, was erected Wednesday morning at Ridge Road and Grant Street.

The project took about 90 minutes and went as planned, said John Wilson, director of parks and recreation for Lan-Oak Park District. The clock tower was constructed by Mercede's Fabrication in Chicago Heights and transported to Lansing.

"There are 48 bolts in the foundation that hold the clock tower down," he said. "The structure itself fits on those bolts like a glove on a hand."

Lan-Oak Park District oversaw the project, and the Village of Lansing is helping by putting in the concrete plaza under the tower.

The structure will act as a significant focal point downtown for public activity, park district officials have said.

"The clock tower is going into the area the park district is calling Park Plaza," Wilson said. "It's where the Pennsylvania Railroad used to be. The plans for that area are the clock tower, hopefully a restaurant and entertainment area. There will also be green space.

"It's to take the area back to what it was back in the old days of Lansing. The clock tower is the first piece of that puzzle."

The installation should be complete by the middle of next week, Wilson said. It will be painted today, and the clock faces will be installed Monday and Tuesday.

Wilson said he was delighted to see the piece put in place.

"It has been a long project so it's nice to see everyone's hard work and dedication come together."