Former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino is the new owner of the Providence Columbus statue. In a unanimous vote Thursday, the Providence Board Park Commissioners, headed by Mayor Brett Smiley, selected Paolino’s bid to purchase the statue. “[Paolino] was the most responsive bidder,” said Smiley.

“There were two bids, effectively the same dollar amount. One of the bidders gave very little detail what his plan was, and definitely would’ve moved it out of state.” Paolino bid $50,000 for the piece. He added, “I want to preserve a beautiful piece of artwork and let people be able to appreciate the art, appreciate the accomplishments of Columbus, and also let them know some of the problems he may have created.”