Sarasota’s most well-known sculpture will be getting fixed soon.
“Unconditional Surrender” located on U-S 41, was hit by a car on Thursday.
The impact knocked a hole in the sailor’s foot and added hairline cracks to the frame.
As a result, it had to be taken down and is now sitting on its side.
“It’s a shock and disappointment to see it down,” said Karen Gormley.
She and others are came by Friday to check out the damage.
The statue is going to be removed in the next day or so and sent to New Jersey for repairs. That was where it was made.
Larry Thompson, the President of Ringling College of Art and Design and member of the group that insures the sculpture, said they’re now trying to figure out how bad the damage is and how it happened.
“I have to say I was absolutely shocked,” said Thompson. “It was placed so that no one would run into it. It was not in a position to be run into and having a car go into that island and media strip was just unheard of.”
Visitors said they’re hoping to see the statue back in tip top shape again soon.
“It’s become an icon in this area,” said Gormley. “I hope to see it back up real soon.”
The statue could be removed and sent to New Jersey sometime this weekend.
It is insured for $560,000. It is unknown at this time who will pay for the repair work or when it will be back up again in Sarasota.