The fate of the Katyn Monument will be decided by the public.
On Wednesday, the Jersey City Council voted 3-0-5 on a measure that would have repealed a June 13 ordinance to move the monument one block to neighboring York Street. NJ.com reports that council members Rich Boggiano, Michael Yun and James Solomon voted in favor of repealing the earlier ordinance, whereas Rolando Lavarro, Joyce Watterman, Daniel Rivera, Denise Ridley and Mira Prinz-Arey abstained from voting. Jermaine Robinson was absent.
Wednesday’s measure needed 5 votes to keep the monument at its current location.
Earlier this summer, news broke that the statue would be moved temporarily to renovate the area. However, controversy ensued when the Exchange Place Alliance’s head and Mack-Cali CEO called the monument “a little gruesome.” Mayor Fulop later confirmed that the monument would be moving permanently —rather than temporarily — so that the Exchange Place Alliance could create a new public park that would include stages for concerts, kiosks, and a park for kids. The cost of the new park would be covered by placing a surcharge on the developers in the area.
The special election could come as early as November 1.
