August 23, 2025

St. Petersburg Faces State Mandate to Remove Street Murals

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.