ASHTABULA CO., Ohio - Drivers traveling on Route 6 and 11 near Ashtabula County are seeing a new landmark.

A six-story steel cross has been built on private property near the northwest corner of Route 6 and 11 near exit 78.

The owner of the property, Mike Kromer, said getting the structure up was quite a project.

"It came from me, working, I have worked non-stop actually for years, being a teacher and working in the summers," said Kromer. "

Kromer told 21 News that the cross took about six months to put together.

The six-story cross cost nearly $60,000 in total, Kromer says that there were no donations given to him to build the cross.

"I probably work on average 60 to 75 hours a week easy, hands down, and that's where this money is coming from," said Kromer.

Kromer said his beliefs that the cross is meant to serve as a reminder that Christ gave his life for us was the reason for putting up the cross. He wants the cross to serve as an inspiration. 

"I want people in Northeast Ohio and state of Ohio to see that, to understand that," says Kramer.

Kromer's daughter Lauren says while critics say the money could have been put to better use, they feel the cross will serve a higher purpose. 

"We're just hoping that it will inspire others to do what maybe they've been avoiding or maybe they haven't even thought about doing to help others," said Lauren Kromer. 

This is one families message of hope, six stories tall.