News Summary
The Florida Department of Transportation has denied St. Petersburg’s request to preserve street art murals celebrating LGBTQ+ pride and Black history. Mayor Ken Welch confirmed that the new state order classifies these murals as ‘non-standard surface markings,’ requiring their removal by September 2025. This decision has sparked protests and concerns over cultural erasure, as community members emphasize the significance of these artworks. The city intends to oppose the FDOT’s decision while discussions on street art management are scheduled among local officials.
St. Petersburg – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has officially denied a request from the city of St. Petersburg to preserve its street art murals, which include works celebrating LGBTQ+ pride and Black history. Mayor Ken Welch announced this decision through social media, confirming that the FDOT’s new state order classifies such murals as “non-standard surface markings.”
The FDOT directive mandates the removal of these murals by September 4, 2025, emphasizing that the artworks are non-compliant with state safety and traffic control standards. Failure to comply with this directive could result in the city losing state funding, which has raised concerns among city officials and community members regarding the impact of this decision.
Mayor Welch stated that city personnel would not undertake the removal of the artwork; instead, the FDOT will enforce the removal as provided by state law. This decision has prompted protests in St. Petersburg, where demonstrators are urging local council members to take action against the FDOT’s order. Some members of the community are expressing outrage, viewing the removal of these murals as a detrimental step toward erasing important cultural expressions.
Among the affected murals, one of the notable concerns includes those at five crucial intersections. These locations are Central Avenue and 5th Street, Central Avenue and 25th Street, 6th Avenue South and 2nd Street South, 9th Avenue South and 22nd Lane South, and 11th Avenue South and 46th Street South. The murals at these intersections have reportedly contributed to a significant reduction in traffic accidents, with officials noting a 70% decrease in crashes where murals have been painted.
The Executive Director of the Woodson African American History Museum has asserted that even if the murals are removed, the mission to preserve and promote African American history will persist undeterred. Similar sentiments have been echoed throughout the community, where the symbolic importance of these artworks is felt strongly.
Prior to the denial of the murals’ preservation, the city had submitted a request to the FDOT seeking to keep the artworks at these specified locations. This appeal was rejected, prompting discussions among local business owners and community stakeholders who voiced dissatisfaction with the state’s decision. Some business owners have committed to opposing the order through alternative means, continuing to support the LGBTQ+ community. Mayor Welch reiterated the city’s determination to explore lawful ways to express and celebrate community values in light of the impending removal of the murals.
This controversy is not an isolated incident, as the state has dealt with backlash previously, including an instance in which a rainbow crosswalk memorial in Orlando was painted over, spurring public criticism for what many perceived to be an act of erasure against significant cultural symbols.
In response to the FDOT’s actions, the St. Petersburg City Council has scheduled discussions on street art management for an upcoming meeting. City officials continue to explore avenues to uphold the community’s artistic and cultural expressions through legal frameworks, despite the imminent challenges posed by state regulations.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News
- Wikipedia: St. Petersburg, Florida
- WTSP News
- Google Search: FDOT street murals removal St. Petersburg
- Florida Politics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida
- Fox 13 News
- Google News: St. Petersburg street murals FDOT
- WFLA News
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.
