A controversial statue of Christopher Columbus in Providence will remain under wraps and hidden away for a while longer.
The statue was removed from its pedestal in the Elmwood section of the city in June 2020, following repeated vandalism, and placed in storage.
The city’s Board of Parks Commissioners is holding off for now on a recommendation to sell the Columbus statue.
The board met Monday to discuss the issue.
“Columbus is not to be respected if you pay any attention,” Ray Rickman, who heads the Special Committee for Commemorative Works, told the board.
The Special Committee is recommending the statue be sold, and the cash be invested in the community.
“The art is so valuable, so important, so stunning that it should be protected and its value should come back to the community,” Rickman said.
Mayor Jorge Elorza said the statue can’t go back to its old spot.
“It’s either insulting to a certain group or it’s going to get destroyed. And if it doesn’t get destroyed, it’s going to take a lot of resources from the city to keep it from being destroyed, and we still can’ guarantee it,” Elorza said.
Elorza also questioned whether the statue should be sold or loaned, and, if it is sold, would it be to the highest bidder or a chosen group.
The board wanted more time to decide.
“I think that we have the luxury right now of the statue is in storage, it’s not offending anyone at this moment. I think the commissioners have a little luxury in having some time on this,” Providence Parks Superintendent Wendy Nilsson told NBC 10. “I think everyone’s in agreement right now that taking the time to do this right is the prudent thing to do.”
The board is putting off its decision until sometime in the new year.