DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation is ordering the city of Delray Beach to remove its Pride mural from a crosswalk by next month.
WATCH: Delray Beach vice mayor 'frustrated, but not surprised' at FDOT letter
"As required by state law, if the pavement markings are not removed by September 3, 2025, the Florida Department of Transportation will remove them by any appropriate method necessary without further notice,” FDOT said in a letter sent to the city of Delray Beach on Friday. “You are further notified that if the markings are removed by the Department, all costs associated with the removal will be assessed against City of Delray Beach.”
READ FULL LETTER BELOW:
The letter comes days after city of Delray Beach elected officials told WPTV's Joel Lopez the city has no plans to remove the Pride mural from a crosswalk, located at NE 1st Street and NE 2nd Avenue, in Delray Beach's Pineapple Grove Arts District.
Earlier this year, the Florida Department of Transportation warned that cities that refuse to comply could face the loss of state funding.
The city of Boynton Beach removed its Pride intersection to comply with "federal and state mandates" last month. However, Vice Mayor Rob Long and other city leaders argue that Delray Beach's Pride mural embellishes a city-owned street not under the jurisdiction of FDOT.
“Delray Beach has always prided itself on standing up for the LGBTQ+ community. This is a symbol of acceptance and unity and it means something to us,” Long said. “We’re not going to be told what to do with city roads by the state.”
Delray Beach remains resilient in facing these pressures, with Long noting that if they are forced to remove the mural, the city would pursue alternative means, advocate for the LGBTQ+ community through a symbol of support in a local park or a new mural.
It’s the latest in a battle between Delray Beach and state government.
WATCH BELOW: 'Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork,' U.S. Department of Transportation says
“Frustrated, but not surprised,” Long told WPTV's Michael Hoffman. "We expected this reaction from the state.”
The city now has until Sept. 3 to remove it before the state steps in — leaving Delray Beach with the bill and possibly the “withholding of state funds,” if there are further violations. Long has been a very public supporter of the mural, calling it Delray’s welcome mat.
“It's meant to show that Delray is a community that values acceptance, that values inclusion,” said Long. “That's the city that Delray Beach has always been. This is something that means something to our community. So let us govern our own community.”
The rule against the mural, Long says, is new. He argues that because it’s on a city road, it’s out of FDOT’s jurisdiction. Searching for answers, WPTV found what's called the city's "minimum construction standards and specifications" plan. On the 85th page, it says all additions to crosswalks must adhere to FDOT’s rulebook.
Long says that means the commission can either vote to not enforce the law, or can lobby FDOT to change it.
“If we are forced to remove it, if there is a consensus to remove it from the dais, then I hope the next conversation is, what can we do to show the community that we still support LGBTQ+ individuals in Delray Beach,” said Long.
The letter does give the opportunity for the city to appeal on Sept. 2.
Long says the commission will have to discuss before the decision to appeal is made, and the issue will likely be on the agenda for their upcoming meeting on Tuesday.
Read more of WPTV's related coverage below:
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'This is our street': Delray Beach Pride mural to remain despite state pressure
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Will this city's Pride mural be removed?
Boynton Beach
City removes Pride intersection to comply with 'transportation mandates'
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