#NYC panel tells Mayor de Blasio he can’t move Wall Street’s ‘Charging Bull’

A public review panel has neutered Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to move the famed Charging Bull statue from its current location at Bowling Green to the front of the New York Stock Exchange, largely citing aesthetic concerns.

The 11-member Public Design Commission voted unanimously to reject the alternate site on Broad Street just south of Wall Street that was proposed by the city’s Dept. of Transportation.

“I am pleased that the NYC Public Design Commission today rejected the proposal to relocate Charging Bull by artist Arturo Di Modica, from the northern corner of Bowling Green Park to Broad Street near the New York Stock Exchange,” said Manny Alicandro, attorney for Di Modica.

“The local community residents and Mr. Di Modica, who were resoundingly opposed to this move, successfully advocated that the iconic Charging Bull should remain in its present location at Bowling Green,” Alicandro said.

Di Modica had previously expressed concerns that placing his masterpiece in front of the NYSE would void his copyright and trademark by turning the Charging Bull into the New York Exchange Bull.”

In an earlier vote the local community board also rejected the proposal.

Transportation Dept. officials say the sculpture’s location for the past 30 years creates a pedestrian safety hazard as crowds gather to photograph the bronze beast on Broadway. The NYPD has also expressed concern that the tourist attraction could become a terrorist target.

A DOT representative presented the Public Design Commission with a slipshod photoshopped rendering of the historical landmark in front of the NYSE ahead of Monday’s hearing.

“The Department of Transportation’s proposal was lazy and ugly, and persuaded no one,” said Todd Fine, a prominent city preservation activist.

“The unanimous vote affirmed the Public Design Commission’s function as an independent defender of the aesthetics of public space. The Commission showed courage to assert itself in a matter initiated by the Mayor’s Office,” Fine said.

“The City has many more urgent priorities than completing this obvious giveaway to the New York Stock Exchange. City agencies should return to the drawing board and facilitate Charging Bull’s continued presence at Bowling Green,” he added.

Reps for the commission and the mayor did not immediately return messages seeking comment.