COEUR d’ALENE — A public art piece along the Centennial Trail Bulkhead has moved to a new home, not far from the original location.

“This was planned and choreographed,” said city administrator Troy Tymesen. “He’s in great hands.”

The art piece, titled “Chief Morris Antelope,” by local artist Cheryl Metcalf, honors Chief Morris Antelope, who was a strong advocate for the rights of the Coeur d’Alene Indians. The statue was dedicated in 2016 and located just west of Rosenberry Drive along the Centennial Trail, in the area of the historical gathering place, Yap-Keehn-um.

But the ground beneath the statue was giving way, causing it to lean. The Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission worked with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and artist Cheryl Metcalf to determine where and how the statue should be moved. That collaboration process began in fall 2018; the move took place in late April.

“He’s got a great view looking out on the water,” Tymesen said.

The new spot is just a few hundred yards away from the original location. In addition to greater stability for the statue, the planned move will also make it more visible to the public.

“As you drive down Rosenberry now, you see him much better than you did previously,” Tymesen said.

Moving the statue even a short distance took careful planning, he said.

“There was good collaboration to keep the integrity of the great art piece and the phenomenal location overlooking the Spokane River,” Tymesen said. “The team did amazingly well, thanks to their creativity in building the base.”