FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) — A major project to repair the University of North Alabama Planetarium and Observatory should be complete by Jan. 1, officials said.

The landmark dome that covers the facility has been removed so crews can repair the concrete structure that supports its weight, The TimesDaily reported.

The repairs are needed because the concrete that supported the dome had cracked, said Michael Gautney, assistant vice president of facilities administration and planning at UNA.

"It developed this pressure crack around the base," said Mel Blake, the planetarium-observatory director. "We were...