CAP Board accepts committee recommendation to remove USS Ward gun from Capitol Mall

The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board voted to accept the commemorative review committee’s recommendation to remove the USS Ward gun from its location on the Lower Capitol Mall and advance the application for removal and relocation.

Tina Chamiz summarized the review committee’s findings: after a May committee meeting and public hearing, the committee determined the artifact met the removal criteria in Minn. R. 2427.003 subpart 9—principally that the work requires substantial maintenance or is otherwise unsuitable at its current site. The committee recommended removal, transfer to permanent interior placement at the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley, and demolition and restoration of the existing site elements (stone sign and concrete base) per the Department of Administration’s plan.

Representative Isaac Schultz, who served on the review committee, described the process as thorough and noted public comments were largely supportive of the committee’s recommendation. Staff said Department of Administration will facilitate removal work and ensure archaeological precautions if required; the Minnesota Historical Society will decide final disposition details.

The board voted in favor of the committee recommendation and authorized staff to move the removal coordination forward with the Department of Administration and MNHS.

Next steps: Department of Administration coordinates removal logistics and transfer; MNHS will determine final disposition at the receiving museum.