Chalk art on Sept 2, 2025 in protest of FDOT removing St. Pete’s street murals. Credit: Dave Decker

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch promised to “build back better” when he announced the city wouldn’t fight FDOT’s removal of its five street murals—including the LGBTQ+ Progress Pride intersection and a “Black History Matters” painted street.

A week after their removal, the city is commemorating the murals and asking residents how they can be replaced.

In a memo to City Council on Monday, Welch said that city workers are distributing posters of the murals at events throughout the month, including this weekend’s Second Saturday Art Walk. The images are also being distributed in downloadable background images and physical postcards. The FY25 mayor’s office and city marketing budget will absorb costs.

Staff will also distribute 200 City Pride flags and is making 200 Black History Matters flags to give out to businesses and organizations, per the memo.

In a survey for its campaign dubbed #CantEraseStPete, the city is asking residents for ideas on “new ways to express our community’s values and creativity within state and federal laws.”

Along with ideas for how to replace the murals on city-owned and private property, the survey asks residents how the street murals impacted their experience of the city and what parts of the city’s identity are important to showcase. Residents can sign up for future opportunities to volunteer or donate.

It also asks, “How can we ensure residents feel a sense of ownership and pride?”

At a public city meeting on Sept. 26, its Public Arts Commission and Arts Advisory Committee will discuss the issue.

Survey submissions are open through Sept. 30.

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