ORLANDO, Fla. – Over the past week, artists have been busy painting swans, oranges, and water lilies on walls in the South of Downtown Orlando area. These new murals are part of a project funded by a federal grant awarded to six Main Street districts in the city.

This South of Downtown (SODO) district received up to $100,000 from the Community Development Block Grant program. The funds are meant to enhance the neighborhood with large murals and better banners.

“SODO is focusing on installing three major murals and upgrading our district banners to visually enhance the area,” stated Misty Heath, the executive director of SODO Main Street.

The murals, situated where they will be seen by many, include a water lily design at 1400 S. Orange Ave. created alongside Orlando Health, a mural of swans and oranges at Kaley and Division streets, and another one featuring oranges covering a building at 315 W. Grant Street.

This artistic initiative follows actions by the Florida Department of Transportation, which has recently been repainting over colorful crosswalks throughout the state, including some in SODO, due to concerns that they could distract drivers.

Heath told News 6 the mural project has no connection to those FDOT actions.

“This was a grant that was bid in 2021. It has nothing. It really isn’t connected to that,” Heath said.

Addressing the concerns about distractions for drivers, Heath cited a 2022 Bloomberg study showing that public art can actually decrease accidents caused by drivers not paying attention.

The grant funds collaborations with local artists, residents, and private businesses to create public art that fosters community pride.

“I think the call to private property owners is going to be even stronger now that if they want to see beautified spaces, then it’s going to be up to them and community partners to make it happen for the time being,” Heath said.

With all three murals expected to be completed by the end of September, Heath hopes this project will be a catalyst for further neighborhood improvements.