Vibrant rainbow chalk art that appeared overnight on crosswalks throughout Panama City is drawing attention from residents and visitors, but the colorful displays won't be staying long due to new state regulations requiring their immediate removal.
Panama City officials have confirmed they are aware of the rainbow chalk artwork that mysteriously appeared on several crosswalks during nighttime hours. The temporary art installations have created splashes of color in the downtown area, but city authorities must comply with recently enacted state legislation that mandates the removal of all street art from crosswalks and roadways.
The Bay Arts Alliance, a local organization dedicated to bringing artistic expression to the community, is actively working to find alternative ways to showcase public art while adhering to city guidelines and regulations. Jayson Kretezer, Executive Director of Bay Arts Alliance, expressed understanding about the legal requirements while voicing hope for future opportunities. "We don't want to see crosswalks go away, but we completely understand we play by the rules, and we would like other ways to bring that public art and share it with our community," Kretezer stated.
However, not everyone in the community views the chalk art positively. Local business owner Josh Petty, who is a partner at CG Sporting Goods, raised concerns about potential safety hazards associated with the street art installations. "It is public property, I wouldn't think that it is different than defacing anything else, it's a safety issue in my opinion," Petty explained. He specifically worried about pedestrians and drivers stopping to photograph the artwork in already congested areas.
Petty further elaborated on his safety concerns, noting the particular risks in busy downtown areas. "If you've got somebody stopping and taking photos as congested as it is, especially downtown, the last thing we would want to see is somebody get injured or hurt by a vehicle, piece of equipment or just anything," he said. Despite the removal requirement, Petty anticipates that the unidentified individuals responsible for the chalk art will likely continue their nighttime artistic activities.
The new street art legislation requires all cities and municipalities to follow Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) traffic safety standards, which specifically prohibit non-uniform markings such as street art on roads and crosswalks. This comprehensive ban aims to maintain consistency and safety across all public roadways throughout the state.
The financial implications of non-compliance are significant for local governments. Cities and counties that fail to adhere to the new regulations and remove unauthorized street art risk losing state funding, creating additional pressure for municipalities to enforce the removal requirements promptly. Although the chalk art displays are temporary by nature, they have already made a notable visual impact on the downtown Panama City area before their mandated removal.
