KCCI and Leon County team up for artistic crosswalk ribbon cutting
KCCI Director Betsy Couch leads the group for inaugural “crosswalk” on new artistic crosswalks.
- Florida’s ban on painted crosswalks necessitates their removal by September 3rd, impacting numerous locations across the state, including Tallahassee.
- Many of the now-removed artworks were located near schools, such as DeSoto Trail Elementary, FAMU DRS, Hartsfield Elementary, Kate Sullivan Elementary, Sabal Palm Elementary, and W.T. Moore Elementary.
- Additional painted crosswalks were situated on Calhoun Street, at FSU, and in the Greater Bond neighborhood.
Creative artists and safety enthusiasts across the state are in mourning over the loss of their artistic pavements and decorative crosswalks, including Tallahassee.
The crosswalks, now banned by the state with a removal deadline of Sept. 3, are being removed all over town.
In Tallahassee and Leon County, there were at least 12 painted roadways, most in front of schools, installed by the Knight Creative Communities Institute, as well as others in the Bond neighborhood installed by the Council on Culture and Arts.
As many of the crosswalks now are completely erased, here’s a walk down memory lane of what was once displayed:
Calhoun Street
There were three colorful crosswalks on Calhoun Street, two at College Avenue, and one at the intersection of East Jefferson Street. The art installations were funded by KCCI and painted in March 2025.
DeSoto Trail Elementary School
The crosswalk in front of DeSoto Trail was painted in February 2023 with funding from KCCI.
Florida A&M University Developmental Research School
KCCI installed two crosswalks on Wahnish Way outside of FAMU DRS on July 31, 2023.
Florida State University
KCCI installed a colorful crosswalk on the FSU campus across from Tully gym.
Hartsfield Elementary School
KCCI installed a colorful crosswalk at the school’s main entrance on Chowkeebin Nene in October 2023.
Kate Sullivan Elementary and Cobb Middle
KCCI installed crosswalk art on Miccosukee Road at the intersections of Hillcrest Street and Mitchell Avenue in 2022 as a pilot of the Crosswalks to Classrooms initiative.
Linear Park
COCA installed a painted crosswalk on the portion of Saxon Street across from Linear Park in the Greater Bond neighborhood in 2023.
The artwork was designed by Lindsey Masterson, the owner of Pen & Tool a local creative design company.
Saxon at Tucker Street
COCA installed a pavement mural at the intersection of Saxon and Tucker Street in the Greater Bond Neighborhood in 2023.
The artwork was designed by Franzline Whaley an illustrator, muralist, portrait painter, and educator.
Saxon at Osceola Street
COCA installed a pavement mural at the intersection of Saxon and Osceola Street in 2023.
The mural was designed by Vardyce Gaines, an experienced graphic designer and artist.
Sabal Palm Elementary School
The art installations at Sabal Palm were completed in phases by KCCI. The first phase was completed in April 2023 with the crosswalk in front of the school.
The second phase was completed in September that same year at the intersection across from the school.
W.T. Moore Elementary and Westminster Oaks
The three crosswalks along Dempsey Mayo Road were installed by KCCI in November 2023.
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.