A project honoring Illinois-born author Carl Sandburg in his hometown has been hindered by a sanitation issue.

Galesburg officials say a sewer line is complicating plans to place a 9-foot bronze statue of Sandburg in the town's public square. Chuck Bednar, president of the Galesburg Public Arts Commission, says the Galesburg Sanitary District is worried the heavy statue could damage the line that runs through the center of the park.

Officials are exploring alternative options, including placing the statue in a different area of the square and rerouting the sewage line.

The commission needs to raise about $100,000 in private donations to complete the Sandburg memorial, which will also include a fountain, garden, flags and granite plates inscribed with passages from the author's writings.