{"id":185376,"date":"2025-08-29T19:36:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T19:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/185376\/"},"modified":"2025-08-29T19:36:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T19:36:09","slug":"jacksonville-artists-frustrated-as-city-begins-costly-crosswalk-mural-removals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/185376\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville artists \u2018frustrated\u2019 as city begins costly crosswalk mural removals"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 Some Jacksonville artists said they\u2019re frustrated as the city began its costly crosswalk mural removals from streets on Friday.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Rainbow crosswalk in 5 Points area could be in jeopardy after federal initiative calls for removal of \u2018political\u2019 roads<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

The city\u2019s plans come after the Florida Department of Transportation required that cities remove \u201cnon-standard surface markings,\u201d which the department said might distract drivers. <\/p>\n

The requirement from FDOT came after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asked state governors to participate in the \u201cSAFE ROADS\u201d initiative, which stands for \u201cSafe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ansley Randall painted a mural at San Marco Boulevard and Nira Street. She said that most murals aren\u2019t forever, but this one in particular was personal to her.<\/p>\n

Mural at San Marco Boulevard and Nira Street (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n

\u201cI got an email from the cultural council to tell me what was happening and it\u2019s upsetting because of how much effort they put in for the City of Jacksonville to put this mural up…,\u201d Randall said.<\/p>\n

She also designed a mural in New York City around a school designed to slow down traffic.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a permanent effect to slow traffic down around schools and here [Jacksonville] I found out all the stuff that they\u2019re taking down these murals,\u201d Randall said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d Nackashi said.<\/p>\n

Crosswalk mural removal at R.L. Brown School (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n

The city described the change as a \u201cperplexing reversal,\u201d citing a Bloomberg study that revealed a 50% reduction in crashes<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Rainbow crosswalk makes debut in lively 5 Points (Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the perplexing reversal will be costly to our taxpayers, we will be complying with the state\u2019s 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,\u201d a statement from the city read.<\/p>\n

Mayor Deegan stressed that while the city is complying with the directive, there are plans to keep the art flowing through Jacksonville.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are going to comply because we have to comply,\u201d Deegan said. \u201cWe are an inclusive community that wants everybody to feel welcome. We\u2019ll make sure that we talk to some local artists and maybe get some art up on a building nearby that\u2019s private property and not on a public street.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wade Richards, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, said the removal of the rainbow crosswalk mural in Five Points saddens him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a reflection of our community, and it\u2019s not just an art piece; it\u2019s also a statement that we as a community are loving and supporting and we recognize the LGBTQ+ community,\u201d Richards said.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Florida cities race to save rainbow crosswalks as the state\u2019s deadlines for removal loom<\/b><\/a> <\/b><\/p>\n

The Florida Department of Transportation found six noncompliant locations in Jacksonville:<\/p>\n