FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Despite the threats of potential funding cuts, the city of Fort Lauderdale will be keeping their art installation crosswalks in place.
On Wednesday night, Fort Lauderdale commissioners unanimously agreed to fight state demands to remove four art installations at four crosswalks in the city.
The decision comes after countless community members voiced concern over the directive by the Florida Department of Transportation to have the artwork removed.
“I would be very disappointed if the city took the initiative to paint over these,” said community member Troy Liggett.
Last Friday, city leaders received a noncompliance letter, stating the installations needed to be removed.
FDOT cited the locations and safety concerns.
“It is totally ludicrous, ridiculous, and is not rounded in data, in facts,” said Fort Lauderdale District 2 Commissioner Steven Glassman.
Some in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting were in favor of the state’s demand.
“(The) street is not a place to put a flag -- wouldn’t put the American flag on the streets,” one person said.
“These are no longer items of value. They are eyesores,” another community member said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis also addressed the matter Wednesday.
“This has been addressed statewide, not just on any one issue,” DeSantis said. “Blue Lives Matter, this or that. They’re doing it uniformly throughout the state.”
Fort Lauderdale now joins Delray Beach and Key West in their decision to challenge the state.
Ultimately, commissioners approved seeking outside legal representation for the battle.
According to FDOT, even during the administrative appeal process, the installations would still need to be removed.
FDOT has stated that if the city didn’t remove the artwork, they would, at the city’s expense.
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