Miami Beach Rebuilds Pride Crosswalk in Park After Ban

When Florida tore up Miami Beach's beloved rainbow crosswalk last year, the community refused to let their symbol of inclusion disappear.

Five months after state crews ripped out the Pride crosswalk at Ocean Drive and 12th Street, the city is unveiling a permanent new version in Lummus Park. The installation features 3,606 colorful pavers designed by Savino Miller Design Studio, combining original pavers with new ones to recreate the beloved landmark.

Last August, Governor Ron DeSantis ordered the removal of about 400 rainbow crosswalks and murals across Florida, even though state officials had previously approved them. The controversy intensified when crews painted over a memorial crosswalk outside Orlando's Pulse nightclub, where 49 people died in a 2016 shooting.

While most cities complied after threats of losing state funding, communities across Florida found creative ways to keep the rainbow visible. Business owners painted private parking lots, cities installed rainbow bike racks, and some even projected rainbow laser beams into the night sky.

Miami Beach took a different approach. In February, the city commission allocated up to $120,000 from their budget surplus to rebuild the crosswalk in the park, where it falls outside the state's jurisdiction.

"Ripping out a crosswalk that was emblematic of Miami Beach's embrace of our LGBTQ+ residents and visitors was a real slap in the face," Commissioner Tanya Katzoff Bhatt said. The new installation will include a plaque explaining its history, and commissioners are adding benches to create a welcoming gathering space.

The Ripple Effect

The project's timing carries special meaning. The unveiling coincides with Miami Beach's 18th annual Pride celebration in early April, which includes a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall and a parade along Ocean Drive, where the original crosswalk once welcomed visitors.

Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez, the only openly gay member of the city commission, emphasized what the support means. "When the State forcibly removed this crosswalk, it was our straight allies who ensured our gay community would not be pushed into the shadows," he said.

The $100,000 project proves that symbols of inclusion can't be erased by simply tearing up pavement.