Los Angeles - A fundraising stunt to cover up the iconic Hollywood sign in order to raise money to buy the land that surrounds it ran into a snag Thursday as city engineers stepped in to make sure the project was safe.
The big cover-up of one of the most notable landmarks in the US had been scheduled for Thursday but is now expected to take place Friday, with the sign staying covered until Sunday with a huge tarpaulin that reads "Save the Peak."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, city engineers stepped in at the last moment to ensure that the tarp would stay in place should a huge wind hit.
The cover-up is being organised by environmentalists trying to purchase the land it stands on from a group of property developers. The group needs to raise the 11.7-million-dollar purchase price by April 14 to complete the deal, and says it already has half the amount.
The organisation had planned to keep the cover-up of the world- famous landmark as a surprise, but police released a community alert to prevent residents getting a shock.
The e-mailed "community alert notification" to Hollywood residents urged that they "not be alarmed" because the 150-metre-long landmark "will remain in place, and there will be no changes done to the sign." Police said the notification was issued "so we do not receive phone calls from worried citizens." //dpa
