UPDATED BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
The removal of Leon County’s colorful crosswalks didn’t go as planned as crews began work Wednesday at East Emerald Chase and Dempsey Mayo Road. I spoke with neighbors who stepped in to stop the work.
Leon County leaders said they would comply with a recent FDOT order to remove colorful crosswalks in our area.
I reported earlier crews had planned to remove crosswalk art on Dempsey Mayo Road this weekend; however, that work actually started Wednesday.
The paint removal quickly turned into a showdown when a couple dozen neighbors arrived at the site to protest.
Neighbor Marjorie Turnbull says she was surprised to hear the work started earlier than expected.
“It’s very disappointing because it means that our residents are not going to be as safe in crossing over Dempsey Mayo as they were in the past. It’s also disappointing the county did not let us know when they were going to be coming,” Turnbull said.
One neighbor laid down in the street. Others filled the crosswalk. And the workers retreated, stopping all activity.
Robin Gray is the president of the resident council. She represents over 700 neighbors, and she says more will show up if workers come to finish the removal.
“Our elders need to be safe to be able to get across to their homes and to visit friends on the other side. The paint is not political. It’s simply color to make it visible. We’re not giving up. We’re just gonna wait for part two," Gray said.
In an email to school leaders, county engineer Charles Wu said that while the art must be removed, the county is working with FDOT to find an approved alternative pavement treatment.
One worker I spoke with says they stopped the removal under the direction of a manager, who plans to contact the commissioner for guidance on next steps.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Colorful crosswalks near a Tallahassee elementary school are vanishing—now county leaders are searching for state-approved alternatives.
- Three of five colorful crosswalks in Leon County near W.T. Moore Elementary will be removed this weekend.
- Leon County's Director of Engineering, Charles Wu, informed the school about the removal due to safety compliance issues.
- Watch the video below to learn what county leaders have to say about alternative solutions being considered.
Final colorful crosswalks in Leon County to be removed for FDOT safety compliance
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
More colorful crosswalks in Leon County are disappearing. FDOT says at least three of five locations near an elementary school are set to be removed this weekend. I’m Lentheus Chaney your neighborhood reporter in northeast Tallahassee looking into what’s next to keep kids safe on their walk to class.
New developments on the painted crosswalks in Leon County. A neighbor shared with me an email from Leon County, director of engineering, Charles Wu, to the principal at W.T. Moore Elementary, notifying the school that crosswalk art removals will begin this weekend at the three Dempsey Mayo Road locations.
In his message, he wrote in part—quote: “We recognize the community value and safety intentions behind these artistic crosswalks. To ensure safety and visibility continue to be addressed, Leon County will be coordinating with FDOT to identify and pursue an alternative pavement treatment that meets FDOT approval.”
According to an FDOT memo sent to county administrator Vincent Long, five non-compliant crosswalks were identified and are now scheduled to be erased. The locations include: Dempsey Mayo Road near Emerald Chase Drive, Meandering Lane, and the W.T. Moore Elementary School entrance—along with South Calhoun Street at East College Avenue and East Jefferson Street. I checked on the crosswalks listed, and the locations on South Calhoun Street have already been removed.
I asked county officials for details on what those alternative pavement treatments might look like—they’re still working through that process. In northeast Tallahassee, I’m Lentheus Chaney, ABC27.
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