How the Tallahassee Black Lives Matter mural came to be: Its origins, costs and legality

The painting of a Black Lives Matter street mural in the intersection of Gaines Street and Railroad Avenue last week has left Tallahasseans with some questions about its origin and costs. 

The idea for the painting was first brought forth at the June 17 City Commission meeting by Mayor Pro Tem Dianne Williams-Cox during the final portion of the meeting designated for "information and sharing of ideas," according to the meeting agenda. 

She informed the commission that she and City Manager Reese Goad had received an email on June 8 from Capital City Chamber of Commerce President Katrina Tuggerson and Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority CEO Elizabeth Emmanuel with an idea for putting some sort of Black Lives Matter art up somewhere in the community. 

Mayor John Dailey, Commissioner Curtis Richardson and Commissioner Elaine Bryant all expressed support for the idea. Commissioner Jeremy Matlow did not mention the mural in his remarks. No vote was taken on the matter.

City officials have not said who exactly made the final decision to go ahead with the painting of the intersection.

The mural was completed a few hours before the next commission meeting on July 8, where it was brought up again in the final portion of the meeting by Williams-Cox. 

She thanked Emmanuel and Tuggerson for their idea. She also thanked City Manager Reese Goad. 

“I took it to the city manager and with great thought and consideration, he worked with his staff and a location was determined as to where to commemorate the Black Lives Matter movement," she said. 

City officials said materials used were those already on hand, accumulating no additional material costs, spare for one expense. Apogee Signs was contracted to create the stencil used, at a cost of around $7,400. A city spokesman estimated that $900 in paint was used.

Employees from the city's Public Works Department were tasked with painting the mural. 

When asked for a tally of labor costs for the job, City Spokesperson Alison Faris said: "The painting was done by city employees and did not result in any additional personnel costs." 

When asked about the legality of painting something some may consider to be a "political statement" on a city street, the City Attorney's office responded by saying:

"The 'Black Lives Matter' mural painted at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Gaines Street was painted as an expression of the City’s continued support of diversity and equality in the Tallahassee Community and was not in support of any organization."

The City Attorney's office cited the city's ADA / Title VI / Nondiscrimination policy, stating "the mural is in furtherance of this policy."

The mural sparked much debate, specifically on social media where some expressed excitement to see the message of Black Lives Matter come from the city and others threatening to deface the intersection. Less than a week after it was completed, the large yellow rectangle is covered in many tire tracks, from both normal driving and burnouts. 

Back story: 

• 'In living color for all to see': Black Lives Matter mural coming to Tallahassee intersection
• Tallahassee Police sergeant on leave for 'questionable' social media post about mural, protests

Contact Tori Lynn Schneider at tschneider@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @photoriphy. Check out her photos on Instagram @phototori_.