The Art in Public Places board meets Wednesday evening, and on the agenda is an approval of funds to potentially support a LGBTQ+ mural project on 801 Duval Street.
Headed by the Key West Business Guild, this is the next step as the city officially revisits a solution to replace the rainbow crosswalks that were removed by state mandate last year, and acting before SB 1134 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027.
The board meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall and will vote on the action item on the agenda which reads, “Approving the use of AIPP Funds, in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, as a restricted contribution to the Business Guild for a public art installation at 801 Duval Street.”
On Sept. 3, the city commission unanimously passed a resolution, recommending AIPP consider, review and approve funds for a public art installation “to celebrate and commemorate the history and culture of Key West’s LGBTQ+ community, its contributions to the identity and economy of the island, and it’s ongoing role in the life of the City,” the resolution read.
During the city commission meeting, city staff clarified what AIPP’s responsibility is in the process and where the Historical Architecture Review Commission (HARC) steps in, which is all according to the city’s current ordinances in place.
“Actually murals go to HARC, they don’t even come to Art in Public Places,” said Liz Young, executive director of Florida Keys Council of the Arts at the Sept. 3 meeting. “HARC gives the proposed business owner, whoever wants to do the mural, a certificate of appropriateness, and then it actually comes right to the commission.”
City attorney Kendal Harden also clarified that this is not a city project, as this is would be handled by the Business Guild, which is an outside entity. This would simply be an ask to use AIPP funding for the project before it moves along to HARC. After HARC approval it would come before the city commission for approval.
Mayor Sam Kaufman and Vice Mayor Donie Lee both expressed the sense of urgency to move this project along, as an impending deadline plays a factor into the city’s compliance with state law.
Earlier this year the Florida Senate and House of Representatives passed SB 1134, which would bar counties and municipalities from funding, promoting or taking official action, including adopting resolutions, programs or policies, related to diversity, equity and inclusion. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
When the rainbow arch project was put on pause by the recommendation of City Attorney Mayanne Downs, who also spoke at the Sept. 3 meeting, there were concerns about funding and maintenance for this project past Jan. 1, 2027.
During the city commission meeting when asked by commissioner Chris Massciotte if this mural should be completed before next year, Downs said, “We would prefer that it is completed, but the only action that the city is taking, vis-a-vis the public funds, is the contribution of the money.”
Downs said the city’s legal department will ensure that they are in compliance with Florida statute throughout the process.
Wednesday’s agenda also includes a discussion item to review ongoing city and private art projects, and an administrator’s report on current AIPP projects. Board members will also discuss a proposed add-on item of $63,000 in AIPP funds for signage on College Road for a “welcome and thank you for visiting” sign.
