News Summary
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch opposes the Florida Department of Transportation’s order to remove local street murals due to alleged safety concerns. The FDOT mandates that five murals be removed by September 2025, claiming they distract drivers. Mayor Welch argues that this represents an infringement on local culture and expression while calling for community support to document the murals before their removal. Despite the order, he pledges to find ways for the city to maintain its cultural identity and values.
St. Petersburg is facing a significant cultural and artistic challenge as Mayor Ken Welch publicly opposes an order from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) mandating the removal of local street murals and painted crosswalks. The FDOT’s letter, issued last week, stipulates that five specific intersections must have their painted markings removed by September 4, 2025.
Mayor Welch argues that this removal represents an attempt by state and federal officials to silence the voices of St. Petersburg’s residents, undermining local priorities and values. He criticized the state for enforcing its policies over the community’s expressed needs. Welch pointed out that FDOT is leveraging city funding, which could amount to millions of dollars for infrastructure and roadway improvements, as a means to enforce compliance with the removal order.
In light of the situation, the mayor has called for a strategic and thoughtful response rather than a reactive one. He encouraged both residents and visitors to document the murals through photographs before their removal as a means of showing support for the vibrant street art that characterizes the city.
The five murals targeted for removal include:
- “Black History Matters” mural at 9th Avenue and 22nd Lane South
- “Common Ground” (colored prism) mural at Central Avenue and 5th Street North
- “Fluid Structures” mural at 6th Avenue and 2nd Street South (University of South Florida)
- “Crossway Crux” mural at 11th Avenue and 46th Street South (Childs Park)
Welch also highlighted the benefits of the “Common Ground” mural, which reportedly led to a 70% reduction in traffic accidents at its intersection, showcasing how community art can contribute to public safety.
FDOT’s rationale for the removal primarily hinges on safety concerns. Officials claim that non-standard surface markings like murals could distract drivers and pose risks on the roads. Additionally, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy supported this stance, explicitly stating that federal funds should not be allocated to support such mural crosswalks.
Previously, FDOT had warned the city that failure to comply with the removal order could result in a loss of state funding. This threat echoed through municipal discussions as city leadership grappled with the implications of the mandate. Welch had sought legal avenues to challenge the state’s order but indicated that pursuing those options might jeopardize the crucial funding St. Petersburg relies on.
Last week, the city’s request for exemptions from the removal order was rejected by FDOT, leaving local authorities with limited options. Community response has been one of disappointment and concern, with many residents and local business owners expressing worries about how this directive undermines St. Petersburg’s representation of inclusivity and cultural expression.
In response to these developments, City Council Chair Copley Gerdes has assured the public that St. Petersburg will continue to seek innovative methods to express its community values despite the impending removal of the murals. The leadership intends to foster discussions within the community on creative solutions for preserving their cultural expressions following the removals.
Mayor Welch emphasized that the city’s identity and values will continue to flourish, asserting that “whatever is taken away, it will be replaced in new, more impactful ways.” This reflects a commitment to ensuring that, despite the challenges posed by the state’s actions, St. Petersburg will retain its unique cultural essence.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
FDOT Orders Removal of Street Murals in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Will Not Challenge Florida’s Mural Ban
FDOT Orders Removal of Pride and Black History Murals
FDOT Denies Preservation of St. Petersburg Street Art Murals
St. Petersburg to Remove Painted Crosswalks Amid FDOT Decision
St. Petersburg to Remove Public Art After FDOT Denial
Community Outcry as FDOT Denies St. Petersburg Mural Request
St. Petersburg Faces State Mandate to Remove Street Murals
Southern Grounds Opens New Location in Downtown St. Petersburg
Controversy Erupts Over Street Murals in St. Petersburg
Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Wikipedia: St. Petersburg, Florida
- Fox 13 News
- Google Search: St. Petersburg mural removal
- WTSP
- Google Scholar: St. Petersburg mural impact
- Florida Phoenix
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Street art
- Florida Politics
- Google News: St. Petersburg mural controversy
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.
