Watts wrote that \u201csocial, political or ideological messages or images\u201d are examples of non-compliant street art. The memo, obtained by the Catalyst, also states that enforcing the ban would ensure the state\u2019s design practices align with national standards.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFailure to remove non-compliant traffic control devices or pavement markings shall be cause for withholding of state funds,\u201d Watts wrote. \u201cPermission to allow non-compliant traffic control devices or pavement markings to remain may be granted at the department\u2019s discretion, if the public agency is able to demonstrate good cause for doing so.\u201d<\/p>\n
St. Petersburg\u2019s Black History Matters and Pride murals are not likely to qualify, according to recent comments from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. He gave states 60 days to provide the federal government with a compliance plan in a July 1 letter to governors.<\/p>\n
Duffy subsequently offered his thoughts on social media. \u201cTaxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks,\u201d he posted<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPolitical banners have no place on public roads. I\u2019m reminding recipients of @USDOT roadway funding that it\u2019s limited to features advancing safety, and nothing else. It\u2019s that simple.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Vandals have repeatedly defaced the \u201cProgressive Pride\u201d mural in St. Petersburg\u2019s Grand Central District. Photo: Metro Inclusive Health.<\/p>\n The FDOT memo states that non-standard markings lead to distracted driving and jeopardize driver and pedestrian safety. It highlights a 2025 Design Manual chapter that \u201cstresses the importance of clarity, consistency and uniformity in traffic control.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The memo also notes that the 2023 Florida Greenbook explicitly prohibits pavement and surface art. The ban applies to all public roads.\u00a0<\/p>\n Multiple FDOT officials could not be reached for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Local governments cannot allow art on travel lanes, paved shoulders, intersections or sidewalks. Chalk drawings are seemingly prohibited, as the FDOT defines art as \u201cany surface markings that are not in direct support of traffic control or public safety.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Watts believes the memo \u201cshowcases Florida\u2019s proactive steps\u201d to align with recently enacted legislation. He said the state\u2019s preemptive policy has \u201cgarnered further support with our federal partners,\u201d and cited a letter from Duffy that further supports their \u201cshared vision of safety.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n In June 2020, the City of St. Petersburg partnered with the Woodson African American Museum of Florida to unveil the city\u2019s \u201cBlack Lives Matter\u201d mural as part of a Juneteenth celebration. The SHINE Mural Office facilitated the artwork<\/a> in solidarity with protests against police brutality and systemic racism. Stakeholders replaced it with a \u201cBlack History Matters\u201d mural in June 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n The \u201cBlack History Matters\u201d mural in the Deuces Live District. Photo: City of St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n In July 2020, St. Pete Pride raised enough money to paint a rainbow-striped mural in the Grand Central District. The organization received City and FDOT approval, although the art clearly does not align with Duffy\u2019s social media post.\u00a0<\/p>\n The \u201cProgressive Pride\u201d flag mural initially faced delays due to the FDOT\u2019s restrictions on non-uniform crosswalk colors. The Orlando Sentinel highlighted the discrepancy when it recently urged the city to protect similar street art<\/a> honoring the June 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the Federal Highway Administration\u2019s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the agency\u2019s \u201cposition has always been, and continues to be, that subdued-color aesthetic treatments between the legally marked transverse crosswalk lines are permissible, provided that they are devoid of retroreflective properties and that they do not diminish the legally required white transverse pavement marking used to establish the crosswalk.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The FDOT memo does not offer any color allowances to surface art \u201cassociated with social, political or ideological messages or images.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Watts wrote that the department \u201chas the authority to enforce compliance and withhold state funds from any public agency\u201d it finds non-compliant. \u201cThis includes directing the removal of \u2026 pavement art installations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Sentinel argued that \u201cthere is no compelling evidence\u201d that street art decreases safety. A local group dedicated to \u201ctransforming our city into a safer and more accessible place for everyone\u201d made the same argument.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Pride-Street-Art-e1752169918157-1024x715.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Black-History-Mural-1024x683.jpg\")
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