SOUTH PALM BEACH — The town's secret has been uncovered. Hidden in plain view of drivers and pedestrians on South Ocean Boulevard was a shrouded figure in front of Town Hall.

But an extended right flipper sticking out from under a construction tarp and the visible outline of a reptilian head was a dead giveaway that the mystery guest was a life-size sea turtle sculpture.

The 400-pound bronze sculpture had been hiding in the police department's equipment bay before being placed on semi-display last week. Lake Worth contractor Peter Ringle and his helper, Andrew Santoro, had been working every day to lay a foundation for the friendly looking beast.

This is a first for Ringle, who specializes in condominium remodeling and renovation.

"It's a unique job, but there's nothing I can't do," he said.

His main task was the construction of an oval frame around the convex site. It gave shape to a sand-colored concrete base not only for the loggerhead, but also for the town's four-ton bicentennial boulder in honor of the U.S. Constitution. Workers poured the concrete Tuesday, trading the turtle's tarp cover for clear plastic.

Artist and town resident Penny Davidson came up with the turtle sculpture idea to illustrate the town's interest in the environment. She designed and produced the oil-based clay model at no cost to South Palm Beach. Casting and installation costs of about $30,000 were paid by the town.

At the suggestion of her writer husband, Sol Davidson, she recently produced three turtle eggs to represent the town's past, present and future. They will be added to the tableau before the yet-to-be-announced unveiling.

All that is missing is a moniker for the federally protected sea creature.

A name is already in from someone who would know. "Heavy," suggested Santoro.