Street art in St. Petersburg will be removed by the state

[Sancho]

https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2025/08/22/st-petersburg-street-art-will-be-removed-florida/

The city wrote a letter Wednesday to the Florida Department of Transportation asking for an exemption from the state’s directive that cities keep their streets “free and clear of political ideologies.” The city’s transportation and parking management director, Evan Mory, made the case that the five installations create a strong sense of community and make roads safer.

“The city remains committed to working with our community to find lawful ways to celebrate and express our values in the public realm,” Welch wrote. “While these specific art murals will be removed, the spirit of what makes St. Pete a special place can’t be suppressed by legislative fiat, and we will find meaningful ways to express our shared values.”

The affected murals include a colorful prism intersection on Central Avenue and Fifth Street, a rainbow Pride intersection at Central Avenue and 25th Street, a University of South Florida-themed crosswalk at USF St. Petersburg’s campus at Sixth Avenue South and Second Street, a Black History Matters mural at Ninth Avenue South and 22nd Lane, and a painted intersection at 11th Avenue South and 46th Street.

The state has been ordering street murals removed throughout Florida. On Thursday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the state overnight and without warning painted over a rainbow crosswalk that was intended as a memorial for victims of the 2017 Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 dead and 53 wounded.

[TnDem]

1. Elections have consequences

Florida is exhibit A of that...