The Christopher Columbus monument in the Bethlehem Rose Garden will make the journey to a new location this year after city officials received complaints about the black granite tribute to the Italian explorer. Standing 5-feet-tall and weighting half a ton, the monument dedicated in 1992 by a now-defunct chapter of the UNICO Italian American club will be moved to Holy Savior Cemetery at 2575 Linden St. after City Council approved a lease agreement with the Diocese of Allentown last week.

According to the 20-year agreement, the diocese will pay the city $1 per year, with the lease to automatically renew for another 20 years at the end of the original agreement. The city will assume the costs of moving the monument and preparing the site for its installation near the Knights of Columbus Tomb of the Unborn Child.