TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The Tampa Mayor’s Office wants a large statue of Princess Ulele to be removed.
The bust has been stationed near the Tampa Riverwalk since last December.
It was commissioned by Columbia Restaurant Group President Richard Gonzmart to honor Florida’s Native Americans.
The Columbia Restaurant Group got the word the statue needs to be moved.
“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.”
It will stay in a warehouse until a permanent place can be found.
A spokeswoman for the mayor’s office sent the following statement:
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.
