'Not The Greatest Timing' LOVE Park Off Limits During DNC
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Governor Tom Wolf's video welcoming Democratic National Convention visitors to Philadelphia opens with a shot of the famous LOVE sculpture with the fountain behind it.
Right now though, JFK Plaza which housed the iconic sculpture is a construction zone, and the Love sculpture sits across the street at its temporary home in Dilworth Plaza.
Argos: "It's your first time seeing the statue. What do you think about it?"
"Uh, it's smaller than I thought it was," said one tourist visiting from California.
Throughout the afternoon, dozens of people snapped selfies at the temporary spot, but some locals are wondering why construction of the park is happening when thousands will visit Philadelphia, and will likely want to see the park.
"It's not the best of timing especially with the convention timing," said Jaleesa Rozier, who works and lives in Center City. "I'm excited for when it does get done, but definitely not the greatest timing," she continued.
Eyewitness News brought those questions to the city's Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Kathryn Ott Lovell.
"Why is it under construction?"
"This is actually a project that is two years in the making. It's a 20 million dollar renovation," responded Ott Lovell.
The Commissioner explained the project has been in the works for years and because of the extensive renovations that are taking place, timing cannot simply be adjusted due to events which were planned after renovations plans began.
"Of course, an ideal situation we'd love to have everything done in the city, but you know, not every construction project is going to be done for the DNC," Ott Lovell said.
The renovations are expected to be completed by May of 2017.