Our “Neighborhood Watch” series features photos and tips provided by our readers. If you see something, say something, and send us an email at News@OrlandoShine.com so we can look into it and maybe even write a story like this one.
An Orlando Shine reader, Keith Tomasek, sent in the attached photos of an FDOT crew painting over a stormwater drain art installation in the Mills 50 Main Street District over the weekend.
Several stormdrains have been painted by local artists with small murals across the City of Orlando, dating back to 2016, most sporting the slogan “Only Rain Down the Drains,” to draw attention to the public that everything that goes down a storm drain will end up in a nearby lake. I painted one myself in front of Eola General in Eola Heights – and yes, I reached out to Rifle Paper Co. to let them know I was inspired by their florals.
As most people are aware (sorry Nextdoor readers, we know you’re violently tired of hearing about it), the Florida Department of Transportation is in the midst of a statewide sweep to erase non‑compliant traffic control features, focusing mostly on decorative crosswalks and bike path markings that don’t match new state standards.
The enforcement began after FDOT issued directives earlier this summer, backed by updated state policy and federal guidance, that all pavement markings must conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Decorative elements, including thematic or colored crosswalks, are now being replaced with the uniform white striping FDOT says is safer and essential for things like autonomous vehicle systems. But it seems like they’re taking it to the curb as well.
According to the City of Orlando Public Information Office, FDOT has not reached out with even a courtesy heads-up that they would be repainting any stormwater drains.
“The city has not painted the drains and has not received any directive from FDOT or any other agency to do so. For further questions regarding the painting of the drains, please contact FDOT.”
– Andrea Otero, Public Information Manager, City of Orlando
In fact, the last time FDOT reached out to the City was to check in that they were planning to remove the list of 18 crosswalks that had been provided last week, by September 4, or face risking state funding. None of those items on the list included the stormwater drain art; in fact, a crosswalk in the Milk District that was also not mentioned on the list has also been painted over by FDOT, making it apparent that they have their own list of installations that their crews have been directed to remove on their own. Whether that means they’ll be sending a bill for that work, as hinted at in their letter to the City of Orlando, remains to be seen.
We’ve reached out to FDOT for more information on what those other installations may be, what sort of budget has been allotted to this cleanup, and if other roadside art installations may be at risk, but have not heard back at the time of this post.
PHOTOS BY KEITH TOMASEK
