Memorial Plans for Columbus Statue Replacement Encounter City Review Challenges

Efforts to establish a memorial in place of the Christopher Columbus statue, which was removed during protests in 2020, have encountered obstacles during a recent city review. The Public Art Commission raised concerns regarding the ownership and maintenance of the proposed monument.

The Italian American Organizations United announced plans for the new monument on July 1, 2023. This seven-foot-tall structure, named the Anonymous Italian Immigrant Family Memorial, will depict an Italian immigrant family and is intended to occupy the pedestal that previously held the Columbus statue since its dedication on October 8, 1984.

Sculptor Sebastian Martorana has been commissioned to create the memorial from a 10-ton block of Italian Carrara marble, which is currently being shipped from Italy. Martorana expressed the significance of using marble from Italy, likening the stone to an immigrant itself.

During a virtual meeting on Wednesday, Martorana and John A. Pica Jr., president of the Italian American Organizations United, presented their plans to the Public Art Commission. The commission's review was necessary because the pedestal is situated on city-owned land. However, rather than approving the project, the panel opted to take no action, citing the need for further clarification on ownership and maintenance funding.

Pica informed the commission that his group has secured over $200,000 for the project, including $140,000 from the State of Maryland. Additionally, they are working to raise funds for accompanying plaques. Despite this, commission members questioned whether the memorial would be a gift to the city or remain under the ownership of the Italian American Organizations United, which could impact the regulatory process.

Commission member Ryan Dorsey noted that it was his understanding the group intended to retain ownership, while other members emphasized the need for a memorandum of understanding to outline maintenance responsibilities, which must include funding for a decade.

Commission chair Jaz Erenberg indicated that the project requires more procedural steps before moving forward. She expressed a willingness to facilitate a meeting between the commission and the applicants to clarify the next steps.

Pica showed openness to the idea of gifting the memorial to the city, stating that the community in Little Italy is committed to ensuring the property is maintained. He also noted that the group had previously taken measures to protect the pedestal from vandalism.

The commission is scheduled to reconvene in September, with Pica hoping to have the memorial completed by the end of 2027.

Reported by HarborBeat based on Baltimore Fishbowl (source).