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Plan Commission approves relocation of George Washington bust to Roe Park
Summary
The Plan Commission voted 8-0 on June 17 to approve relocation of a George Washington bust to Roe Park on the Washington Avenue side, following neighborhood engagement and a Great Neighborhoods grant request to fund site work.
The City of Oshkosh Plan Commission on June 17 approved relocation of a George Washington bust to Roe Park, with the commission recording a vote of 8-0 in favor. The decision follows neighborhood engagement and interdepartmental review.
Planning staff said the bust was previously located in front of the former Washington School on Winnebago Avenue; the school property was sold to the city in September 2024 and is being redeveloped for single-family homes. Staff said the bust is part of a collection donated to the city in the early 1900s by Colonel John Hicks and maintained by the John Hicks Trust Fund.
Staff described outreach over the past year with the Menominee South River East and Stevens Park neighborhood associations, the public library, the museum, parks and public works. Those groups reviewed multiple potential relocation sites; on June 3 neighborhood representatives voted to place the bust on the Washington Avenue side of Roe Park. Staff said the Great Neighborhoods program application from the three neighborhoods would fund landscaping, concrete and other site improvements to make the new location a long-term public exhibit.
A member of the commission thanked staff for the neighborhood engagement. Commissioner (Miss) Papp said, “I just want to thank the staff for spending so much time with the neighbors,” noting the outreach effort. Planning staff said detailed site design and any specific vegetation, viewing areas or small patio features would be developed with the Parks Department.
No members of the public spoke during the public-comment period, and the commission adopted the staff findings and recommendation by motion and second. The motion carried 8-0. The item will proceed to Common Council for final action as required by the statutory process cited in the staff report.
Background and next steps: staff said the John Hicks collection includes other city monuments; staff and the parks department will finalize placement, landscaping and installation details if the council agrees with the commission’s recommendation.
