News Summary
St. Petersburg will remove painted crosswalks at several intersections, following a Florida Department of Transportation denial of the city’s request for exemptions. The removal is set to be completed by September 4, 2025. Despite evidence showing a 70% decrease in accidents at these locations, the FDOT cites compliance with state traffic device standards. The decision has upset local business owners and community members who feel it undermines artistic expression and community identity.
St. Petersburg, Florida – The city will begin removing painted crosswalks at several key intersections following a decision by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to deny the city’s request for an exemption. The FDOT has indicated that the roadway art violates state traffic control device standards, necessitating an immediate removal of the murals, which is set to be completed by September 4, 2025.
Key locations affected by the FDOT’s order include:
- Central Avenue and 5th Street North
- Central Avenue and 25th Street North
- 6th Avenue South and 2nd Street South
- 9th Avenue South and 22nd Lane South
- 11th Avenue South and 46th Street South
St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch has reiterated the city’s commitment to public art as a reflection of community creativity, inclusivity, and identity. However, the city’s attempts to maintain five street murals through exemptions from the FDOT were unsuccessful.
Despite the FDOT’s stance, city traffic data indicates that the implementation of street murals has led to a significant 70% decrease in accidents at intersections where these murals were installed. This statistic comes from a three-year before-and-after crash analysis meant to contest assertions that street art poses safety risks to drivers and pedestrians.
The FDOT’s decision aligns with a law recently signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, aiming to keep state transportation facilities devoid of political messaging. This law mandates the identification and removal of any non-compliant art, under the pretext that such markings could distract drivers and jeopardize overall safety.
In the aftermath of the FDOT’s notification, city officials announced that the department would oversee the removal process, while the city would be responsible for reimbursing the FDOT for any costs incurred during this operation. Local business owners have expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision, arguing that the removal feels politically motivated and undermines community representation.
The situation escalated following a recent incident in which a rainbow crosswalk, intended to honor the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, was painted over without warning, sparking public outrage and additional calls for preservation of community-driven art.
To address the community’s concerns, the St. Petersburg City Council has scheduled a meeting for September to discuss the ramifications of the removal order. However, the outcome of this meeting and its influence on the future of the murals remains uncertain.
Community members have voiced a strong intention to find alternative methods to restore the artwork should it be removed, underlining the importance of visibility and representation in public spaces. The debate over the street murals exemplifies a broader struggle for artistic expression and community identity within urban planning and state regulations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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
Controversy Erupts Over Street Murals in St. Petersburg
Backlash in St. Petersburg Over Removal of Rainbow Crosswalks
Residents Rally Against State Order to Remove Murals in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg City Council Under Pressure Over Murals
St. Petersburg Murals Threatened by State Directive
St. Petersburg Community Rallies to Protect Street Murals
St. Petersburg Faces Street Murals Removal Crisis
Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News: FDOT Denies St. Pete’s Request to Keep Several Street Murals
- Wikipedia: St. Petersburg, Florida
- WFLA: FDOT Orders St. Petersburg to Remove Road Art
- Google Search: Art in Public Spaces
- Florida Politics: St. Pete to Remove Rainbow Road Art
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Art
- WTSP: St. Pete Street Art Mural Removal
- Google News: Florida Department of Transportation
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.
