A huge bust of Princess Ulele was moved from its location on the Tampa Riverwalk early Tuesday morning.
Crews wrapped a rope around the statue and hoisted it onto a flatbed trailer before hauling it away to a warehouse just before dawn.
The bust has been on display in a grassy area of the Riverwalk since last December.
The large statue can be seen from the Ulele restaurant, which is on the other side of the Riverwalk.
The statue was commissioned by Columbia Restaurant Group President Richard Gonzmart to honor Florida’s Native Americans. Gonzmart owns the Ulele restaurant.
“I ordered and paid for this statue to honor the Native Americans, such as Ulele, who lived in this area long before us,” Gonzmart said. “It’s been a wonderful addition to the Riverwalk and guests have taken thousands of photos of it. But I have been told repeatedly that Mayor Buckhorn wants it moved from that location.”
The Tampa mayor’s office wants the statue to come down and says it was erected without permission from the city.
“This has nothing to do with the piece of art. It was erected without permission on land that is a public park, alongside a Riverwalk that we have worked hard to keep free of clutter. The codes apply to everyone and nobody has the liberty of erecting structures on property that does not belong to them,” said the Tampa mayor’s office in a statement.
The statue will be stored in a warehouse until a new location for it is found.
