The City of Ithaca is one step closer to building the Martin Luther King Memorial Walkway. It's been a long time coming and, as our Tamara Lindstrom reports, some say the tribute to African American history is long overdue.

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ITHACA, N.Y. -- A sculpture inspired by the civil rights leader and a new sign marking the path are the latest additions to the Martin Luther King Freedom Walkway. The plans were unveiled to the public Tuesday.

"This is something that we've been really talking about for years," said Mayor Carolyn Peterson. "There's been a lot of excitement and interest in it."

"They've heard from us all along the way, but now here we are," said committee chair Leslyn McBean-Clairborne. "We wanted to unveil our logo so that when you see this you know that it is a part of the walkway."

The walkway aims to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders and highlight the rich history the city holds.

"I think it's wonderful to tie this all together with our really significant African American history that I don't think everyone's aware of," Peterson said.

Historic places like DeWitt Park, where Frederick Douglass stood in 1852 to speak out against slavery.

"Because he wasn't allowed to speak indoors in certain places. And spoke about antislavery and held rallies," McBean-Clairborne said.

The St. James AME Zion Church, part of the Underground Railroad, and the Southside Community Center, a place Eleanor Roosevelt helped dedicate, will be stops on the self-guided tour.

"There are sights already throughout the community that have some identity, such as Alex Haley's place where he used to live in Ithaca," Peterson said. "There's a bench and a small landscaping around it and it just sits there without connection."

The committee is looking for help from citizens to make the project happen.

"Just buy a part of it. Be a part of it with your time," McBean-Clairborne said. "You can contribute time, with some research, with your money."

A contribution to a history that won't be forgotten.

Organizers don't yet have an estimate on the cost of the walkway, but they hope to have pieces in place within the next year.