By Caitlin Mota | The Jersey Journal |
JERSEY CITY – Officials are planning to reveal details about an agreement that was reached to relocate the Exchange Place monument that sparked controversy locally and abroad, but many Polish-Americans still do not approve of any changes.
The 34-foot statue commemorating the Katyn Forest Massacre is expected to be moved one block over from the foot of Montgomery Street to York Street. The move is being made for a $5 million park to be built at Exchange Place.
More than 100 people protested plans to relocate the statue, despite the memorial’s committee and Maciej Golubiewski, Polish consul general in New York, calling the monuments proposed new home an “optimal new location.”
The rally was, at times, contentious, with protesters yelling that Mayor Steve Fulop “is for sale” for allowing the Exchange Place Special Improvement District, headed by Mack Cali CEO Michael DeMarco, who called the statue “gruesome,” for developing the property.
Slawek Platta, one of the plaintiffs listed in one of the two lawsuits filed last weeks aimed at halting the relocation, said there needs to be more transparency and more input from the Polish community. He said he’s currently not pleased with the York Street location and looks forward to hearing more details expected to be released by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop on Monday morning.
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