Columbus Day is just over three weeks away, and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh says this may be the year the city decides on concrete action to take with the controversial Christopher Columbus statue downtown. "I've indicated the status quo at Columbus Circle is not acceptable so change is going to come," said Walsh.

In June, the city announced the formation of a Columbus Circle Action Group charged with making recommendations on how to create a "comprehensive education and learning site" at Columbus Circle. Walsh is expecting those recommendations before Columbus Day.