The state is designating the Columbus monument at Columbus Circle as a landmark — in case the city tries to move it in the future.
The New York State Board of Historic Preservation voted unanimously on Sept. 20 to place the statue in the state and national registers for its historic and cultural significance.
The action was not publicized.
Gov. Cuomo is expected to announce the designation at the Columbus Citizens Foundation dinner Saturday night and the news will be celebrated at the monument on Sunday — ahead of Monday’s Columbus Day Parade.
The 76-foot beaux arts monument was designed by Italian sculptor Gaetano Russo and it’s his only sculptural art work in America.
“The form and content of this work . . . embody a number of ideas about civic pride, patriotism, nationalism, and ethnic identity that informed American culture in the early 20th century,” said Jennifer Betsworth, a state historic preservation expert who presented the Columbus monument proposal to the state board.
The erection of the Columbus statue in the “geographic center” of New York City was an attempt “to help Italian American immigrants gain status in American society,” she said.
During the presentation, Betsworth acknowledged that Columbus remains a controversial figure.
Critics complain he should not celebrated because he mistreated native Americans. Some have called for the statue’s removal.
A commission appointed by Mayor de Blasio decided that the statue should stay put, but recommended historical texts be added to address Columbus’ faults as well as his successes.
State board members said they supported adding those texts.