Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena on Tuesday called on local leaders to reconsider removing a controversial statue of Christopher Columbus from Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park. Last week, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto echoed the recommendation of the Pittsburgh Art Commission to remove the statue. He directed the statue be displayed on private property, though a location has not been determined.

In a statement Tuesday, Catena asked for the reconsideration of taking down the statue. “It is obvious that Christopher Columbus did and believed many things during his time that we as a society find reprehensible,” Catena said. “However, we also need to understand and recognize the place he has in our nation’s history and personally my heritage.”