The Ganem Contracting Corp. started construction on the project in April after City Council members approved the $210,000 project. The project is intended to reconstruct the deteriorating steps back to their original appearance.

Commissioner of Public Works Skip Scirocco said stone masons working on the steps noticed an incorrect measurement that occurred between a portion of the footing and the sidewalk.

"This forced construction workers to tear up a section of the sidewalk in order to repour the footing that was a 1/2 inch short," he said.

The failed measurement also caused the company to hold off on ordering the granite to ensure that it fit correctly.

Scirocco said he commended the company for bringing it to  the city's attention because it could have allowed frost to build up underneath the stone and caused it to crack.

He said the mistake will not cost the city one-cent extra and they will assume the cost of fixing the mistake.

Peter Ganem, co-owner of the contracting company, said the miscalculation has delayed work one week. It will also take four weeks for the granite work to be completed and two weeks to install brass railings.

He expects the project to be completed either the last week in September or the first week in October.

Scirocco said the city could fine contractors for going past their deadline, but did not plan on pursuing such a course of action because of other circumstances like the cutting of the granite and poor weather.

"I would rather them take the time to do the job right then have them rush just to get it done," he said.

According to Scirocco, the granite being used on the project has to be cut from a quarry in Vermont and each piece has to be cut separately to ensure accuracy. The granite alone will cost $60,000.

Other costs include, $50,000 for concrete, $45,000 for brass railings and $50,000 for a radiant heat system.

City Hall was completed in 1871 and the original design featured wide, square steps facing Broadway. The stairs were topped off with two lion sculptures on each side of the staircase. The statues had been relocated to the city's recreation fields, but were recently sent to the city's DPW garage where they have since been refurbished in order to be placed back in their original position in front of City Hall.

The city's goal is to restore the stairs to their original appearance while adding new features like granite steps, brass handrails and heated coils which will be placed in the steps and throughout parts of the surrounding sidewalk to help melt snow and ice during the winter months.