Neighborhood Health Center Communications Director Ginger Geoffery
stands beside the former location of a bust of Christopher Columbus, which was
removed during construction in 2020. There are efforts being made to ensure the
bust is put in the hands of the Federation of Italian American Societies
of Western New York. Federation
President Peter
LoJacono says says the
organization wants to preserve its history by restoring and relocating
the bust. The bust was life-sized and installed on a pedestal that included four bronze plaques with names of notable hospital officials. The removal of the bust
from 300 Niagara St. corresponded with the removal of the full-body Columbus
statue located at Prospect Park, which was vandalized and damaged. Lojacono
wants to keep the Columbus bust safe. Geoffery says the statue was part of the
purchase for the building replacement back in 2020. It was removed during
construction, and it is in storage. By Emmanuel Rogers
