News Summary
The Florida Department of Transportation has denied St. Petersburg’s request to exempt its murals from a new mandate that requires their removal due to safety and traffic control standards. This decision has ignited protests within the community, as residents rally to preserve street art representing LGBTQ+ and Black history. Mayor Ken Welch emphasized that the responsibility for removal does not lie with city personnel, highlighting the tension between state regulations and local cultural expression as the September deadline looms.
St. Petersburg – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has denied St. Petersburg’s request to exempt its street art murals from a new state order, confirmed by Mayor Ken Welch on social media. The order mandates the removal of “non-standard surface markings” that convey “social, political, or ideological messages” and do not serve traffic control purposes.
The FDOT memo highlights that several art sites within St. Petersburg, including murals that represent LGBTQ+ and Black history, do not meet state safety and traffic control standards. As a result, the city has until September 4 to remove these murals or face the loss of state funding. Mayor Welch has stated that the responsibility for removal will not lie with city personnel; instead, the FDOT will enforce the removal according to the law.
The issue has sparked recent protests in St. Petersburg, including demonstrations outside the City Hall, where residents are urging local officials to oppose the state mandate. In light of these developments, community leaders, activists, and artists are mobilizing, forming the “Save Our Street Murals” committee, which has already garnered an online petition surpassing 3,000 signatures.
Artists like James Kitchen, who worked on the “Black History Matters” mural, have expressed concerns regarding the potential erasure of cultural and historical significance that these murals represent. Correspondingly, the Executive Director of the Woodson Museum has underscored the importance of preserving African American history in St. Petersburg, asserting that efforts will continue to uphold this legacy.
The intersections affected by the removal order include:
- Central Ave. and 5th St. North
- 6th Ave. and 2nd St. South
- 9th Ave. and 22nd Ln. South
- Central Ave. and 25th St. North
- 11th Ave. and 46th St. South
The removal of these murals aligns with a broader trend observed across the state, exemplified by the recent incident of the overnight painting over of the rainbow memorial crosswalk in Orlando. These actions reflect a state directive that many community members view as an attack on local artistic expression and cultural identity.
In response to the state order, city leaders are actively exploring potential exemption options and plan to address the matter in an upcoming city council meeting. Mayor Welch has emphasized the city’s commitment to finding lawful alternatives to celebrate community values, reinforcing that the essence of St. Petersburg, known for its inclusivity and vibrant culture, should not be diminished by legislative actions.
As the September deadline approaches, the community remains divided, with ardent supporters advocating for the preservation of these street murals as symbols of diversity and inclusion, while others prioritize compliance with state regulations. The outcome of this situation will further reveal the balance between state mandates and local cultural expression in St. Petersburg.
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Additional Resources
- WTSP News
- Wikipedia: LGBTQ+ History in the United States
- Fox 13 News
- Google Search: Street Art Culture
- Florida Politics
- Google Scholar: Artistic Expression in Public Spaces
- WFLA News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Art
- Fox 13 News
- Google News: Florida Street Art Laws
- St. Pete Catalyst
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
