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Commission discusses replacing deteriorating 'Ralphie' bison sculpture; staff recommends permanent-material replacement
Summary
Staff recommended replacing the aging concrete-and-mesh 'Ralphie' bison sculpture with a permanent-material monument (bronze or Corten steel) after assessing structural failure and noting the original artist cannot be engaged; commissioners urged cautious community outreach due to strong local attachment and safety concerns about exposed wire.
Staff presented an assessment of the Ralphie bison sculpture and recommended replacing the deteriorated figure with a permanent-material sculpture.
Staff described the original 1964 work by Charles Bonney as constructed from concrete, latex, silicone, steel/alloy and wire mesh and said visible wire and material failure indicate significant deterioration. "Staff recommends that we replace it," staff said, and noted the original artist cannot be consulted because he is incarcerated. Staff proposed replacing Ralphie with a more durable material—bronze or Corten steel—and recommended a community-education and outreach process and a deaccession step for the existing work.
Commissioners voiced two competing concerns: public attachment and likely community reaction to removing a long-standing fixture, and public-safety concerns from peeling materials and exposed wire. Several commissioners suggested interim protective measures (barriers and signage) if immediate removal is not feasible and recommended a careful change-management strategy with photos that document the sculpture's condition. Staff agreed to pursue outreach, explore funding and propose a process that balances safety and community sentiment.
