SAN ANTONIO \u2013 A transportation nonprofit in San Antonio has said it is reviewing its street art safety project amid a larger push from Texas Governor Greg Abbott to remove \u201cpolitical ideologies\u201d from streets.<\/p>\n
ActivateSA, which advocates for a safe and sustainable transportation system in San Antonio that considers all users, was one of two San Antonio nonprofits that received an AARP grant earlier this year<\/a> to address community needs. <\/p>\n The nonprofit had planned and began receiving artist submissions for a street art mural project to:<\/p>\n Improve safety by increasing visibility of pedestrian spaces<\/p>\n Promote a more walkable and welcoming public realm<\/p>\n Encouraging drivers to slow down and be aware of pedestrians and cyclists<\/p>\n Bring the community together through artist-led public art<\/p>\n \u201cWe will be working with local and state officials to see how this could possibly impact our project,\u201d ActivateSA Executive Director Joey Pawlik said in an email to KSAT. \u201cWe\u2019re hoping this project can still move forward in its current format as it can bring greater safety enhancements and community beautification all in one package!\u201d<\/p>\n Last week, Abbott called for the Texas Department of Transportation to enforce the removal<\/a> of non-standard surface markings, signage and signals that \u201cdo not directly support traffic control or safety,\u201d according to a news release from Abbott\u2019s office.<\/p>\n Symbols, flags or other markings \u201cconveying social, political, or ideological messages\u201d are also banned, the release states, citing \u201cfederal and state guidelines for roadway safety.\u201d<\/p>\n Abbott, in the release, said any city found not compliant with the order \u201cwould face consequences,\u201d such as withholding or denying state and federal funding or the suspension of TxDOT agreements. <\/p>\n In a separate letter last Wednesday to city and county transportation officials, TxDOT said prohibited pavement markings on roads include decorative crosswalks and murals conveying artwork or other messages, \u201cunless they serve a direct traffic control or safety function.\u201d<\/p>\n In San Antonio, rainbow crosswalks in the city\u2019s Pride Cultural Heritage District and on North Main Avenue were placed under Abbott\u2019s lens. <\/p>\n Not long after the governor\u2019s declaration, city officials said they did not have any current plans<\/a> to remove the crosswalks.<\/p>\n ActivateSA\u2019s projects, rooted in the tactical urbanism trend of “quick-builds<\/a>,” would produce four painted \u201cbulb-outs\u201d on sidewalks around Blanco Road and Elsmere Avenue \u2014 bulb-outs narrow roadways to enhance pedestrian safety.<\/p>\n Tactical urbanism methods often include community-driven, short-term and low-cost interventions to alleviate issues such as traffic concerns in cities. <\/p>\n The project would begin sometime between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15, following an announcement for artists\u2019 selection on Oct. 20, according to a project description<\/a> on ActivateSA\u2019s website. <\/p>\n Restrictions on the webpage prohibit the display of finished artwork that features religious or political symbols.<\/p>\n Texas is at least the second state, following Florida, to undertake crosswalk removal. <\/p>\n