PHILADELPHIA - The monumental bronze statue of former Philadelphia mayor and police commissioner Frank L. Rizzo, which was removed from public view in 2020, will be returned to a private committee of his family and supporters, according to a new agreement approved by the Philadelphia Art Commission. As reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer on August 13, 2025, this decision marks the end of a long and contentious chapter for the polarizing monument, which has been held in a city storage facility for over five years.
The New Agreement:
After years of uncertainty, the city has reached an agreement to transfer ownership of the statue to a private entity. This move resolves the question of what to do with the monument, which had become a focal point of public protest. The committee of supporters, which includes Rizzo's family, will now be responsible for the statue's future placement.
A Controversial History and Removal:
For decades, the Frank Rizzo statue stood across from City Hall in Thomas Paine Plaza. To his supporters, Rizzo was a tough, "law-and-order" leader. To his detractors and many in the city's Black community, he was a symbol of an era of police brutality and racial injustice.
Following years of activism calling for its removal, the statue was taken down by the city in the early morning hours of June 3, 2020. The removal occurred amidst the widespread protests following the murder of George Floyd, a period during which monuments with controversial legacies were re-evaluated across the country.
The Statue's Future:
According to the report from The Philadelphia Inquirer, while the statue is being returned to his supporters, its future location has not yet been publicly announced. Previous discussions have suggested a potential placement in South Philadelphia, a longtime Rizzo stronghold. Any future public display of the statue would likely require further approvals depending on the chosen location.
The decision by the Philadelphia Art Commission to return the Frank Rizzo statue to a private group marks the final chapter in the monument's life as a piece of city-owned public art. After its dramatic removal, the statue will leave city storage and its future will now be determined by the family and supporters of the late mayor.
