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 BELOW: WPTV's Michael Hoffman reporting live in Delray Beach
"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.
WATCH BELOW: 'Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork,' U.S. Department of Transportation says
“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.
The letter does give the opportunity for the city to appeal on Sept. 2.
WPTV's Michael Hoffman reached out to Long who told him 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?
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City removes Pride intersection to comply with 'transportation mandates'
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