The Miami County commissioners last week accepted a group of landscape companies offer to maintain the Courthouse grounds and discussed logistics for removal of the Lincoln sculpture from the Courthouse lawn in early April.

Representatives of several landscape companies earlier this month proposed the free maintenance project – Operation Courthouse – as a community service.

“We want to thank these organizations for having pride in their county … We certainly do appreciate it,” Commissioner Jack Evans said.

Diana Thompson of the County Visitors and Convention Bureau, county maintenance staff and Troy city representatives discussed the departure of the Lincoln sculpture with commissioners. The monumental sculpture has been on display since last spring.

It is scheduled for removal April 4 when Main Street in front of the Courthouse will be closed to accommodate a crane and other vehicles.

The commissioners said the sculpture’s display has been a big hit. “It is a shame it can’t stay forever,” Thompson said.

The team from Operation Courthouse has agreed to restore the lawn area affected by the sculpture’s placement, commissioners said.