How should this be handled? - Rejected removal request appeal

[DTrain2002]

Ok, so wondering if I should appeal this or not.

Title: Betty J Wilson Memorial Bench

Location: 46.874217,-96.78781

I was downtown earlier this week, as I wanted to submit a new nomination for a new mural, as well as take some geotagged photos to get some Wayspots moved to the correct location. While at one of these mislocated Wayspots, I found a Wayspot for a memorial bench, however, the plaque for who the bench was in memorial to was no longer on it, and it’s just a plain bench.

Well, the removal request, which I did take a photo for in-game, was rejected later the same day. I submitted the request around 2:30pm on Sept 30th, and before midnight, the request was rejected.

I don’t know if I should appeal this removal request, since the memorial plaque has been removed and it’s just a bench now, or if I should just leave it be. I’d most likely have to go back and take a photo with one of my camera apps, even though Street View from May 2025 shows that the plaque is gone.

Also, looking at the main photo for this bench, it doesn’t match up to the area, as the sidewalk is quite different than what it is and has been in the past on Street View. The main photo shows a sidewalk with a circular brick design, but this area has never had this design. I also can’t find the brick building in the background of this bench on Street View here.

Any suggestions appreciated, and Street View is below:

Rejection email screenshot:

[RGTGO]

I would just leave it alone, people pay money to get those benches and they’re the city’s responsibility. For all we know the plaque just fell off and the city is taking their typical sweet time to put it back on.

[DTrain2002]

This looks like a fake, though, as the main photo doesn’t match the area.

[AMG7070]

Defenitely appeal IMO.

[DTrain2002]

Moved to appeals. It does look like a fake the more I look at the main photo and Street View going back several years, or one that was misplaced badly.

[AMG7070]

I took a look too.

The streetview does not show this particular design op pavement/bricks that the main photo does at the years I checked. Although the bench does look similiar.

I guess we will see what appeals team have to say.

[DTrain2002]

These benches are common downtown, but it’s the pavement bricks of the sidewalk and the brick facade in the background that don’t match the area. Will wait to see what staff says.

[DTrain2002]

Adding some more to this.

I did a search for this person, and was able to find where this bench is. It looks like it’s at First Lutheran Church, around 46.88244719856833, -96.78728220146071. I can see 2 benches like this on Street View, both with plaques, but I can’t see which one has this plaque. This person attended the church, and the brick facade in the background matches that of the church here. The pavement bricks are even in a half circle, like in the main photo.

There are also a couple at the front of the church that are of similar design, with the pavement having a similar half circle brick pattern, and similar brick facade in the background. They are to the north and south of the steps leading to the entrance, but it’s not the north one, as that has a Wayspot at 46.883043,-96.78726.

So, this isn’t the bench at 46.874217,-96.78781, so it was incorrectly placed, but I don’t know which of the 3 benches that don’t have a Wayspot at the church it is. I’ll see what staff says about this, whether they’ll remove or if it should be moved. If they want it moved, I’ll go get a geotagged photo.

[DTrain2002]

And found it over at First Lutheran.