Death of a Delray Beach Rainbow May Ignite an Even Louder Pride Celebration

Delray Beach is weighing a dramatic new show of color after the state removed its signature Pride crosswalk downtown.
The decision follows Florida’s recently tightened rules on decorative street art, signed into law earlier this year by Governor Ron DeSantis.

From Rainbow Gateway to Bare Asphalt

The four-way crosswalk at NE First Street and NE Second Avenue was painted in 2020 to honor victims of Orlando’s Pulse nightclub tragedy and quickly became a local landmark.
Last week, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews arrived before dawn to cover the intersection. A heavy rainstorm blurred their first coat of black paint, briefly revealing the bright stripes again. By the following morning, workers returned—painting, then sandblasting the surface until the design was gone.

FDOT described the removal as compliance with new roadway-safety guidelines that prohibit certain nonstandard markings.
City officials say they were not given advance notice.

The Florida Department of Transportation (#FDOT) is currently sandblasting the Delray Beach Pride Intersection at NE 2nd Avenue and NE 1st Street. FDOT has blocked the roadway to vehicular traffic. Please use alternate routes.
For more information: https://t.co/jpmWDPL9fw pic.twitter.com/NwtrJvpgrA

— City of Delray Beach (@citydelraybeach) September 10, 2025

A Rapid City Response

The surprise erasure prompted an immediate conversation at Monday’s city budget workshop. Commissioners reviewed a list of potential actions aimed at preserving or even expanding Delray Beach’s visible support for inclusivity and public art:

• Rename NE First Street as Pride Street, with updated signage and historical photos of the original crosswalk.

• Install rainbow flags on every light pole along the corridor.

• Illuminate the downtown water tower in rainbow lights visible across the city skyline.

• Commission large-scale murals near the intersection to celebrate diversity and creativity.

• Place a permanent commemorative plaque telling the story of the original artwork.

Vice Mayor Rob Long said many residents and business owners see the intersection as the “welcome mat” to the city’s arts district and want to see its spirit endure. Several commissioners suggested that multiple ideas could move forward at once.

Part of a Statewide Shift

Delray Beach is not the only city affected. FDOT has also acted on high-profile Pride displays in Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Key West under the same directive.
A coalition of municipalities has challenged the policy, arguing that FDOT’s guidance effectively creates new regulations without legislative approval.

Governor DeSantis signed the law in June, requiring that noncompliant art on streets and sidewalks be removed if deemed a traffic-safety risk.

What Comes Next

Delray Beach will collect public feedback before finalizing its plans. Whether through a renamed street, illuminated landmarks, or expansive murals, leaders say they intend to ensure the city’s message of welcome and creativity remains highly visible.