Rather than take sides for or against Christopher Columbus’ statue in downtown Syracuse, the Onondaga Historical Association is opting to bring forth Syracuse's vast history and cultural significance with a design competition. The plan will fill space in and around Columbus circle.
OHA executive director Lisa Romano Moore says it will take up a vacant lot next to the Columbus Circle and public space surrounding the Italian explorer.
"And all of those elements could be utilized to tell the story of the history of Syracuse and the people who’ve been here forever and the people who are newcomers," Moore explained.
As talks in 2018 and 2019 about the fate of the Columbus statue stalled, Moore said the OHA moved on choosing to incorporate the land and public spaces around the statue. The idea is to create an open and welcoming, more contemporary space representing the many communities that helped build Syracuse.
Because the space is outside, Moore pointed out, “you’re going to want certain types of materials and those may be things that are reflective of the kind of classical architecture and design that’s in the circle."
The Columbus Monument Corporation has criticized the process of hiring an outside firm from Minneapolis to help carry out the process.
To that, Moore said, the OHA chose a firm that had significant experience conduting public art competitions, which will also lend objectivity to the process as local and national designers compete.
In April, artists and design teams received invitations to share their portfolios of work, which are due May 17. The OHA will announce the finalists of the Full Circle Design Competition in June. Those designers will submit their final proposals in November and wait to hear the final in December.
