A bronze statue on South Third Street has been proposed to memorialize Fred Holdridge and Howard Burns, long considered the unofficial ambassadors of German Village.

Holdridge died in 2010 and Burns in 2001.

The statue, which must be approved by the German Village Commission, was one of two monuments being considered to honor the longtime companions and champions of the community.

An ad hoc committee appointed by the German Village Society board of trustees selected the statue and an arch over Third Street at East Livingston Avenue.

The arch was rejected because of “formidable barriers,” such as historic-district considerations and proposed improvements along the corridor, said Beth Ervin, a member of the GVS board and the ad hoc committee.

“If it could get done at all, it didn’t seem like it could get done soon,” she said.

The German Village Commission heard an informal presentation on the monument at its Jan. 3 meeting.

Although no action was taken, commission chairman Jay Panzer said “an appropriate monument to their dedication would be a welcome addition to our streetscape.”

“We look forward to receiving a formal application in the near future,” he said.

The permanent installation would be a life-size sculpture depicting the two men sitting on a bench, with room for additional seating and a plaque explaining their contributions to the neighborhood.

A similar piece at a nearby location was approved a few years ago by the commission but it never was installed, Ervin said.

The monument would be placed in front of Hausfrau Haven, 769 S. Third St. Holdridge and Burns owned the wine-and-gift store for more than 20 years before selling it to Julia D’Elia and Faye Muncie in 1996.

D’Elia said she plans to contribute to the project.

“It’s hard to make something as big and as grand as Fred and Howard were to Columbus and German Village,” she said. “But I think Fred would think it was wonderful and I know Howard would love it. I think it will be beautiful.”

The project has no estimated cost, Ervin said. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant has contributed $3,000 for the piece but additional fundraising likely will be necessary, she said.

“I do feel good about getting a step closer to something because I think they do need to be memorialized and have their stories told,” she said.