JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Some Jacksonville artists said they’re frustrated as the city began its costly crosswalk mural removals from streets on Friday.
The city’s plans come after the Florida Department of Transportation required that cities remove “non-standard surface markings,” which the department said might distract drivers.
The requirement from FDOT came after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asked state governors to participate in the “SAFE ROADS” initiative, which stands for “Safe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies.”
Ansley Randall painted a mural at San Marco Boulevard and Nira Street. She said that most murals aren’t forever, but this one in particular was personal to her.
“I got an email from the cultural council to tell me what was happening and it’s upsetting because of how much effort they put in for the City of Jacksonville to put this mural up...,” Randall said.
She also designed a mural in New York City around a school designed to slow down traffic.
“It’s a permanent effect to slow traffic down around schools and here [Jacksonville] I found out all the stuff that they’re taking down these murals,” Randall said.
David Nackashi is an artist who lives in Springfield. He works with the Blue Zone Project for pedestrian safety and had a design class for kids who designed a crosswalk mural at R.L. Brown School.
“The kids had a hand in putting up some artwork at the school, instilling some pride and it was fun. They learned a lot, it was hard work which is fun to me,” Nackashi said.
The city described the change as a “perplexing reversal,” citing a Bloomberg study that revealed a 50% reduction in crashes due to painted streets. However, it stated that it would follow suit with the updated requirements, even though the change would take a toll on taxpayers.
“While the perplexing reversal will be costly to our taxpayers, we will be complying with the state’s request to remove these paintings and working with local artists to recreate them on a different canvas that is on private property and not on a roadway,” a statement from the city read.
Mayor Deegan stressed that while the city is complying with the directive, there are plans to keep the art flowing through Jacksonville.
“We are going to comply because we have to comply,” Deegan said. “We are an inclusive community that wants everybody to feel welcome. We’ll make sure that we talk to some local artists and maybe get some art up on a building nearby that’s private property and not on a public street.”
Wade Richards, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, said the removal of the rainbow crosswalk mural in Five Points saddens him.
“This is a reflection of our community, and it’s not just an art piece; it’s also a statement that we as a community are loving and supporting and we recognize the LGBTQ+ community,” Richards said.
RELATED: Florida cities race to save rainbow crosswalks as the state’s deadlines for removal loom
The Florida Department of Transportation found six noncompliant locations in Jacksonville:
- The intersection of West of Lomax Street and Oak Street (one crosswalk)
- The intersection of Lomax Street between Park Street and Oak Street (one crosswalk)
- The intersection of Lomax Street and Margaret Street (one crosswalk)
- The intersection of Childrens Way and San Marco Boulevard (all pavement art and crosswalk)
- The intersection of 9th Street W and Pearl Street N (all crosswalks)
- The intersection of Milnor Street near Richard L Brown Elementary School (one crosswalk)
According to the city, the art at the intersection of Childrens Way and San Marco Boulevard cost more than $82,000 to paint.
The city has also moved forward to hire contractors to remove the paintings.
It cost $22,000 total to repaint the roadway art at all locations. That does not include security at each site, the city noted.
Nackashi said it cost them only $3,000 to paint and all the money was raised from outside sources and the neighborhood. It didn’t cost taxpayers anything.
“To have the state, big government come in and push that to the side is frustrating, especially when it doesn’t make the road safer,” Nackashi said.
Richards said they could the money could be used for fixing other things like potholes.
“I literally just got a flat tire last week by hitting one,” Richards said.
Read the city’s full statement below:
A 2022 Bloomberg study found that decorated crosswalks actually made streets safer, showing a 50% drop in pedestrian crashes and big decreases in accidents overall. In fact, these traffic calming measures were once encouraged by the State of Florida.
While the perplexing reversal will be costly to our taxpayers, we will be complying with the state’s request to remove these paintings and working with local artists to recreate them on a different canvas that is on private property and not on a roadway. In Jacksonville, we welcome everyone and believe that public art beautifies the city while driving economic development.”
Public Works will hire contractors to remove the road paintings. We do not know the costs or have a schedule yet.
City of Jacksonville
If the city fails to comply, FDOT said it would withhold state funds.
All locations must be removed by Thursday, Sept. 4.
Jacksonville Councilman Jimmy Peluso said he was disappointed in a statement to News4JAX.
“It’s a disappointment that some of the people who were elected to the highest offices in our state and federal government have determined this is a priority,” he wrote. “It’s a shame and it’s weak leadership. But hey, if beautification on our streets and pride in our communities are something the government is so interested in fighting, I guess that means they’ve abandoned fixing property insurance and keeping people in their homes. Talk about not having your priorities in order.”