Milwaukee's massive homemade ice sculpture must come down, city says

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- A 30-foot ice sculpture designed and executed by a Milwaukee man has to come down, the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services said Wednesday.

The artwork, essentially a giant icicle created by David Schardt with a piece of string, a pole and water dripping from a hose attached to his bathroom sink, is on city property in a city park adjacent to Schardt's Milwaukee home.

"I think it's cool. It's kinda nature-made, but helped by me," he said.

It took several weeks for the sculpture to grow to its current size, but the city says its location, and the makeshift plumbing hook-up used to construct it, violate city codes.

The artwork has been barricaded and the city plans to demolish it, likely with chainsaws, WITI-TV, Milwaukee, reported Wednesday, adding it has become an attraction, with many cars driving down Schardt's street to see it.