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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Time is ticking for Tampa and other cities throughout the state to remove street art.
The move is stirring up strong emotions among many.
“To me, the entire situation is just sad. It’s absurd and foolish,” remarked Victor DiMaio, part of the Hillsborough Democratic Latino Caucus.
DiMaio mentioned that the artwork carries significant emotional value. “In front of my grandmother’s former store,” he recalls, “I stopped by for a quick bite, noticed the vibrant intersection, and thought, that’s lovely.”
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According to city officials, teams in Tampa will be laboring overnight soon to clear street art from 47 locations. A new regulation prohibits murals on intersections, sidewalks, crosswalks, shoulders, and road lanes, citing safety risks.
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One of the many murals set for removal in the City of Tampa.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said the city disagrees with the order, but not complying with the law could cost millions in state funding.
“Engaging in an administrative hearing will not enable us to retain those street designs. We explored every possible option, consulted with our legal team, but saw no viable legal route to preserve the murals,” stated Mayor Welch.
State authorities acknowledge that failure to remove the artwork could lead to the withholding of funds for road-related projects and upkeep. The Florida Department of Transportation has mandated that removal be completed by September 4.
Governor Ron DeSantis spoke out about last week’s nighttime removal of the Pulse Nightclub shooting memorial in Orlando. He posted on ‘X’: We will not allow our roadways to be taken over for political agendas.
DiMaio said it seems there’s more behind the move than safety.
“We are really wasting taxpayer money on this stuff,” said DiMaio. “How is a street somehow or even a crosswalk colored in different colors? How in heck is that going to be having some problem with people tripping over it? It boggles my mind.”
Decorative intersections to be removed in Tampa:
- North Jefferson Street & East Washington Street
- East Yukon Street & North 22nd Street
- South Concordia Street from West San Luis Street to West San Pedro Street
- East Curtis Avenue & North 16th Street
- West Osborne Avenue & North Ola Avenue
- North 15th Street & Debeers Drive
- West Montgomery Avenue & South Trask Street
- North River Boulevard & West Louisiana Avenue
- East Hamilton Avenue & North Taliaferro Avenue
- South Sterling Avenue & West Corona Street
- East Park Circle & East Crenshaw Street
- West Melrose Avenue & South Manhattan Avenue
- East Broad Street & Hilton Place
- East Ross Avenue & North Lamar Avenue
- North Franklin Street & Twiggs Street
- North Franklin Street & West Henderson Avenue
- West Tampa Bay Boulevard & North Habana Avenue
- West Laurel Street & North Grady Avenue
- North 15th Street & East 21st Avenue
- West Cass Street & North Jefferson Street
- North MacFarlane between West Main Street & West Chestnut Street
- West 103rd Avenue & North Ola Avenue
- West Estrella Street & South Hubert Avenue
- North Wishart Boulevard & West Cimmeron Drive
- South Grady Avenue & West Morrison Avenue
- Mid-Block at West Mango Avenue
- South Lois Avenue & West Mango Avenue
- South Lois Avenue & West Rembrandt Drive
- North Oregon Avenue & West Spruce Street
- South Lois Avenue & West Mango Avenue
- South Lois Avenue & West Rembrandt Drive
- North Oregon Avenue & West Spruce Street
- Cass Street & Tyler Street
- East Cayuga Street & North 34th Street
- South Himes Avenue from West San Jose Street to West San Miguel Street
- West Neptune Street
- West Estrella Street from South Lois Avenue to South Hubert Avenue
- 5907 Orange Blossom Avenue
- South Concordia Avenue & West San Luis Street
- South Concordia Street from San Luis Street to San Pedro Street
- Walnut Street from Tampania Avenue to Habana Avenue
- Concordia Street & Obispo Street
- Ashley Drive from Kennedy Boulevard to Florida Avenue
- Madison Street from Franklin Street to Florida Avenue
- Kay Street from Florida Avenue to Tampa Street
- Cass Street from Central Avenue to Governor Street
