Fort Lauderdale remains bound and determined to keep its colorful street art despite a statewide crackdown launched months ago by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Attorneys for both sides were working on a settlement agreement but were unable to do so by the March 12 deadline set by an administrative law judge for the state.

Both parties have requested the judge set a one-day final hearing on the matter for May 28 or May 29.

The tourist town known for its LGBTQ-friendly reputation stands alone in its fight against the order to remove all street art, including colorful rainbow crosswalks.

Street art from Key West to Orlando disappeared after the state in the weeks and months after the state Department of Transportation issued its order in August.

State officials argued that street art designs are distracting and can pose a safety risk. Critics countered that it’s a thinly veiled attack on the state’s LGBTQ community.

Is it worth the fight? Or a waste of money?

Mayor Dean Trantalis and Commissioner Steve Glassman declined to comment Monday, citing the ongoing litigation.

Charlie King, a longtime resident and frequent critic of City Hall, argued the city should call it a day.

“I think they should concentrate on our looming fiscal issues,” King told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Monday. “We’re the only one in the entire state fighting this. It doesn’t matter to most people. There’s a war and all these other things going on. Problems with lines at the airport. And they’re still fighting this. It just seems crazy to me.”

King had this suggestion: “If they want more rainbow art, put it in a park. Not on a street regulated by the state.”

Bill Brown, a community activist and LGBTQ advocate, defended Fort Lauderdale for taking on the state, comparing it to the Stonewall era that began in 1969. A police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City triggered days of protests and marked the beginning of the gay rights movement.

“It’s kind of like deja vu for Stonewall for a lot of us,” Brown said. “I feel it’s important they take a stand. It seems like an attack (by the state) on human rights and the LGBTQ community. We can’t just stand by and roll over without standing up for what’s right.”

Brown pointed to the recent statewide crackdown on DEI.

Local governments would be banned from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion programs under a bill headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who would have the power to remove local officials for violating the new law.

Critics worry the measure will have a chilling effect on local officials and affect parades celebrating Martin Luther King Jr., gay pride and St. Patrick’s Day.

“As we saw with the recent legislation that passed on DEI, where does it stop?” Brown said. “If one event goes, they all go. It appears the fight keeps getting bigger, especially with what passed with the Legislature.”

But Brown said he realizes city officials might have to consider the taxpayer dollars being spent on legal fees. If those legal fees get too steep, Fort Lauderdale might have to drop its fight against the state, Brown said.

“But there are other ways to fight,” Brown said. “Peaceful demonstrations. Maybe they could paint the (beachfront) wave wall near Sebastian Street with pride colors. Would the state argue that’s going to distract drivers? They don’t even pay attention to crosswalks.”

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan