Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Moose statue escapes bullet at City Hall By JOHN MUNFORD jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com Don’t cook the moose’s goose just yet. While the 6-foot, 6-inch statue greeting visitors outside the Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse is afoul of Fayetteville’s sign regulations, it won’t be coming down anytime soon. But the moose might not make it through hunting season, joked Councilman Larry Dell. “To some guys down here, that might look like a pretty big deer,” Dell said. The Fayetteville City Council declined to order the moose down; instead a request for a sign variance to allow the statue was tabled. When the issue came up, Mayor Ken Steele asked if anyone would address council to “represent the moose.” A mascot-type moose head popped up from the audience, sparking a fit of raucous laughter from the crowd. “Will you be speaking for yourself, Mr. Moose?” Steele cracked. The moose was just a figurehead, however, and human Mitch Linneberry represented Bugaboo Creek in the discussion with council. He noted that the statue was on the company’s plans that were approved by the city. “We didn’t realize it violated city codes,” Linneberry said. The company will not dress the moose up for special occasions or string lights on it to draw attention, Linneberry added. The moose statue is technically a third outdoor sign under the eyes of the sign ordinance, explained Jahnee Prince, the city’s director of planning and zoning. But it can also be viewed as public art, and city staff is preparing a public art ordinance for the council’s review early next year, Prince said. Councilman Glenn Brewer said he views the moose as a piece of art. The steak house, which offers fare inspired by the Canadian Rockies, takes the moose theme up a notch inside with a talking moose head to entertain patrons. The moose statue out front is more of the silent sort, but its offbeat presence is a signature for the restaurant chain. And for now, it’s here to stay. “I think it’s the intention of the city to work with you,” Steele said. What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to the News Home Page| Back to the top of the page