While other cities have already removed theirs, the city filed an exemption request that included a letter to TxDOT.
The conversation will continue at the LGBTQ2+ Advisory Board on Monday, where the city attorney’s office is expected to give a briefing.
Advocates fought for years to get the rainbow crosswalk installed on Evergreen and Main, which was finally created in 2018.
While other cities have already removed theirs, the city filed an exemption request that included a letter to TxDOT.
It argues the rainbow-colored crosswalks are not prohibited by the manual on uniform traffic control devices and statistically, this intersection has proven safer compared to other nearby intersections without the colored-striping.
Therefore, the city believes this is proof of a public safety benefit as required to be considered by TxDOT for an exemption.
That letter was filed November 5 – and while it holds off the rainbow crosswalk from being painted over for now, the mayor has made it clear where she stands.
“We have to be smart and stick up for ourselves, my pride is not tied to this paint. It doesn’t matter what they say, we will just figure out a different way,” said Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones.
Since the letter’s filing, there has been no update from the city on whether or not they’ve received a response.
The city attorney ‘s office will be giving a briefing to the board at 4:15 p.m. Monday at the Mission Branch Library on Roosevelt Avenue.