Name: Crews begin removing controversial Hiawatha statue from Riverside Park after 60 years
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Crews begin removing controversial Hiawatha statue from Riverside Park after 60 years

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You can cancel at any time.Loading&amp;hellp;{{title}}{{description}}{{banner}}(renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax){{tagline}}{{special_title}}{{html}}You are the owner of this article.You have permission to edit this article.© 2022 Lee EnterprisesShare ThisCrews begin removing controversial Hiawatha statue from Riverside Park after 60 yearsShare thisA worker uses a specialized saw Monday as crews work to remove the Hiawatha statue in Riverside Park.A crew from Krause Konstruction out of Coon Valley works to remove the Hiawatha statue from its pedestal at the north end of Riverside Park.Spectators watch contractors work to remove the Hiawatha statue from Riverside Park.Onlookers pooled around the north end of Riverside Park Monday morning as crews worked on removing the Hiawatha statue, after city officials for its removal because of its false narrative of Indigenous people.La Crosse’s Indigenous community and its allies have called for the statue’s removal for decades — which was to draw more tourism to the area — saying it falsely depicted the tribes native to the area in a derogatory stereotype of a mix of tribes.After the statue is lifted by crane onto a flatbed truck, the family of the statue’s artist will store it until it can be re-erected at its new home.The city originally to temporarily store the statue, but because a new location has already been identified, the family will assume ownership as soon as the statue is hauled out of the park.The family of artist Anthony Zimmerhakl and a third party, who are choosing to remain anonymous at this time, plan to situate the statue at a new, undisclosed location that is not within city limits, but is a “convenient drive” from La Crosse, officials said.Crews began jackhammering at the concrete base of the 25-foot statue around 6:30 a.m. on Monday, but stopped work mid-day because of an issue with the steel beams keeping the statue upright.Eventually a crane will be used to lift the statue onto the truck.The concrete base will then be removed, and dirt and grass seed will then be laid over the spot it once sat towering, until a new use for the space is found.The city hired an experienced contracting crew to remove the statue, officials said, and ratchet straps, security netting and other safety measures were in-place to keep the statue intact during the move.“Nobody really knew what we were getting into until we started jackhammering away. Really, one of the positives is that the statue is staying intact,” said Jay Odegaard, city of La Crosse Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.Officials said that though the city voted to remove the statue, it was dedicated to preserving it as a piece of artwork for the sculptor’s family.“I think in the end,” Odegaard said, “there’s a lot of contentious feelings with this statue. And I think something that really needs some clarification, is that the city isn’t in the business in trying to determine what art is good or bad.”In the conversations leading up to its removal, officials also indicated they hoped to replace the statue with something more representative of La Crosse’s Indigenous communities.But given budget constraints and logistical restraints, like developing in flood plains that weren’t there when the Hiawatha statue was erected in the 1960s, it’s unclear what that replacement could be or when it can be expected.“Will something go there? I don’t know,” Odegaard said. “The last thing I think we should try to do is jump into any kind of rush to replace it.”The city’s Board of Park Commissioners will approve an art agreement form for the spot later this month, that will outline specific details that need to be answered before a replacement could be approved.“When a lot of these statues and artwork are going into place, the hard questions sometimes aren’t answered,” Odegaard said, like utilities, maintenance and the artworks lifespan.Regardless of what and when, Odegaard said that Indigenous communities will be included in the plans for new art overlooking where the Mississippi, Black and La Crosse Rivers meet.Though not completely removed Monday, after it is hauled away, the Hiawatha statue will wait in storage, and is not expected to be re-erected until next year.Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.A worker uses a specialized saw Monday as crews work to remove the Hiawatha statue in Riverside Park.A crew from Krause Konstruction out of Coon Valley works to remove the Hiawatha statue from its pedestal at the north end of Riverside Park.Spectators watch contractors work to remove the Hiawatha statue from Riverside Park.Jay Odegaard, Director of La Crosse Parks, Forestry and Recreation{{title}}{{summary}}You don't have any notifications.Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.Topics

Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Please subscribe to keep reading. You can cancel at any time.Loading&amp;hellp;{{title}}{{description}}{{banner}}(renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax){{tagline}}{{special_title}}{{html}}You are the owner of this article.You have permission to edit this article.© 2022 Lee EnterprisesShare ThisCrews begin removing controversial Hiawatha statue from Riverside Park after 60 yearsShare thisA worker uses a specialized saw Monday as crews work to remove the...

Crews begin removing controversial Hiawatha statue from Riverside Park after 60 years

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