Bugaboo moose gets OK from Fayetteville art committee

The moose statue at Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse has passed the first test of Fayetteville’s new ordinance regulating public art.

The statue has won approval of the city’s Art and Architectural Advisory Committee, which has deemed it “beneficial to the community.”

Now the moose has to gain approval of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, which must vote whether or not to add the site development plans for the restaurant.

The vote is likely to come at the commission’s meeting Tuesday, June 22.

Earlier this year, the city amended its zoning ordinance to allow displays of public art after they undergo an approval process. Prior to the ordinance changes, the moose would have been considered an extra sign for Bugaboo Creek even though it has no wording on it, city officials said.

In a memo to the commission, City Planning and Zoning Director Jahnee Prince noted that the moose is a wood sculpture which “will endure all weather conditions and will need very little maintenance.”

The moose sculpture also fits in with the restaurant’s theme, Prince noted.