GRANT PARK — The pedestal that once held the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park has been removed, drawing criticism from a local Italian American civic group.
The statue itself was removed about five years ago with no warning in the middle of the night. The small plaza left behind will undergo pavement restoration before public access is restored this summer or early fall in preparation for hosting rotating artwork, according to a Park District statement.
“This work follows the recommendations of the Chicago Monuments Project and marks another step forward in reimagining our public spaces to better reflect the values and diversity of our city. The District looks forward to engaging residents and other stakeholders on the proposed People’s Plaza that will accommodate temporary artworks celebrating Chicago’s diverse communities,” Michele Lemons, Park District director of communications, said in a statement…