DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The city of Delray Beach will not be removing its pride mural at this time.
At Tuesday's city commission meeting, commissioners voted to proceed with an administrative hearing instead. The meeting, scheduled for Sept. 2, will help determine whether the state can force Delray Beach to remove the painting on a municipal street.
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The decision comes days after the Florida Department of Transportation ordered the removal of the rainbow-colored crosswalk, citing safety concerns.
In an Aug. 15 letter to City Manager Terrence Moore, FDOT said it would remove the markings "by any appropriate method necessary" and bill the city for it. The state also threatened to cut state funds if the city does not comply.
Pride Mural Represents Diversity for Delray Beach
The pavement markings, located at the intersection of Northeast Second Avenue and Northeast First Street, represent Delray Beach's support of its large and influential LGBTQ+ community. Dozens of community members spoke at Tuesday’s meeting.
"I'm not here to ask for division. I’m here to ask for you to stand up, not just for a crosswalk but for what it represents; the right to feel safe, to belong and be part of this city," said one local resident.
Commissioner Rob Long was the first to ask his colleagues to exercise all legal options before conceding to the state.
"For a state agency to announce they will destroy something we lawfully installed without our consent isn’t just government overreach; it’s trespass, destruction of property," said Long.
Millions at Risk for the City
Moore said Delray Beach's options are limited and stressed the financial risks for the city.
"I don't believe the city of Delray Beach has much choice at all," said Moore.
Moore said the city currently has $60,266,026.50 in funding agreements with the state of Florida, including over $39,190,744.50 in FDEP grants, and $21,075,282 from FDOT.
“Quite frankly, given the directives at the state of Florida level, we are in an environment whereby we do have to take consideration given the directives," Moore said.
But Delray Beach's LGBTQ community asked the city to fight that directive, saying the murals are a reminder that they belong.
What’s Next?
City leaders will appear before an administrative hearing on Sept. 2.
According to FDOT's letter to Delray Beach, "Because the issues likely to be raised are straightforward and involve only interpretations of the law and the national and state engineering standards, the hearing should be informal."
The state said the painting must be removed by Sept. 3.
Delray City Attorney Lynn DeSanti Glenn said the decision to proceed with an administrative hearing does not automatically cut funding because the city has a right to pursue this legal option.
Moore said it will cost Delray Beach about $12,000 to remove the painting.
