Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced he will form a Columbus Circle Action Group to advise the City of Syracuse on the creation of an all-season, education and learning site at the downtown park space that has been home to a statue of Christopher Columbus since 1934. Walsh said the group’s charge will include recommendations on the presence of the monument in the Circle.

“When I convened the Columbus Dialogue Circles with Interfaith Works in 2018, I made a commitment to seek understanding, common ground, and healing for our community. I want the opportunity to finish the job and serve as a model for other communities,” Mayor Walsh said. “No one had to ask us to conduct dialogue circles when I took office. We did it because it was the right thing to do.