Dallas could open its sidewalks to public art under a proposed change to city code that supporters say would give neighborhoods another way to showcase their identities.
The idea is already taking shape in Oak Lawn, home to the state’s largest LGBTQ community, where new art projects include murals and newly painted library steps.
“If we can’t do it in the roadway – where are some other areas that we can build more color, public art.”
Lee Daugherty, a board member for the Cedar Springs Merchants Association, is asking the Dallas City Council to consider updating city code to allow temporary or permanent artwork on sidewalks.
“What can artists do on our plazas to make this street – and Dallas – a little more beautiful,” Daugherty said.
The city currently prohibits artwork on sidewalks. Under the proposed change, sidewalk art could be allowed with approval from the city’s transportation director.
“This was such a simple fix,” Daugherty said.
But city officials said the process may not be so simple.
Dallas Transportation Director Gus Khankarli said decisions about public artwork on city sidewalks would need to be governed by a City Council-approved policy rather than left to an individual administrator. That policy does not currently exist.
“It cannot be a situation where the director is having to – or an administrative person – is having to make such a decision,” Khankarli said.
The proposal was discussed Monday by the city’s transportation committee, six months after Gov. Greg Abbott required cities to remove markings from street crosswalks.
One council member expressed support for continuing the discussion.
“I do think it’s something to keep pushing because I think more communities are going to want that,” said District 9 City Councilmember Paula Blackmon.
Council member Bill Roth, however, said he believes Dallas should avoid getting into the business of determining how sidewalk artwork would be approved.
“How long it’s going to be – who’s going to make the decision – I think is totally absurd to me. It’s something that’s doomed to fail,” Roth said.
The committee has not made a formal recommendation for or against the proposal.
Daugherty remains hopeful the idea will gain momentum, allowing neighborhoods across Dallas another avenue to express their unique identities through public art.
“We’re looking for projects that are going to withstand the test of time – and be here decades and decades to come,” Daugherty said.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.