FARGO (AP) - A $54,000 project to improve the appearance of the Cass County Courthouse bell tower and to fix roof leaks is expected to be done by winter.

Crews have erected scaffolding around the 102-year-old bell tower so they can replace mortar that holds the sandstone brick structure together.

County Administrator Bonnie Johnson says decaying mortar has created the roof leaks, with water sometimes reaching the third floor courtrooms.

The last major bell tower improvement was 25 years ago. That project involved minor mortar and roof repairs, along with the installation of steel beams for stability and wire nets to keep pigeons from roosting.