City of Gainesville Bans Pride Sidewalks to Comply with Fl Department of Transportation Memorandum
At the Gainesville City Commission meeting Thursday, commissioners unanimously voted to comply with a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) memorandum that will ban the Pride rainbow-colored sidewalks installed by the city.
The memo “explicitly prohibits the application of pavement or surface art on travel lanes, paved shoulders, intersections, crosswalks, or sidewalks. It defines pavement or surface art as surface markings that are not in direct support of traffic control or public safety.”
The commission heard from over a dozen public commenters; all were saddened by the decision. Some criticized the city for caving to the state, while others told the commission they understood their decision, as FDOT could potentially cut millions in transportation funds for non-compliance.
Many public commenters suggested moving the bricks to a pedestrian-only area.
Commissioner Casey Willits made a motion that would require the state to specifically identify structures requiring removal; however, his colleagues pushed back, saying the state already made identifications.
Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut motioned to comply with FDOT, which the commission unanimously approved, with Commissioners James Ingle and Desmond Duncan-Walker absent.
During the meeting, City Manager Cynthia Curry revealed that the Florida Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) spoke with city staff about sidewalks that weren’t in compliance.
Commissioner Casey Willits made a motion to name the street with the rainbow sidewalk in front of the Hippodrome after the late gay civil rights activist Terry Fleming, which Chestnut seconded.
Special advisor to the city manager, Brian Singleton, informed the commission that the block is already named. Singleton said N. 2nd Ave could be named after Fleming.
“Got it, that’s fine,” responded Willits.
Commissioners eventually settled on “naming a portion of 1st St. to Terry Fleming St.”
Commissioner Bryan Eastman motioned to direct staff to return to the commission in October with project options for relocating the rainbow art installation.
Singleton said it might not be possible to salvage the bricks.
Eastman clarified he meant “the spirit” of the bricks.
