PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A community memorial to a local high school student has been painted over, sparking outrage from residents. The mural, a collection of hearts painted on the roadway at the entrance of Jessica Clinton Park, was removed by the city late Tuesday night.
The hearts were created in memory of Jessica Clinton, a St. Lucie West Centennial High School student who died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition in 2003. According to the city, the removal was a necessary step to comply with new regulations on street art issued by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
The new FDOT guidelines, which are a result of a new state law (Senate Bill 1662), prohibit non-standard pavement markings in the name of safety. They state that such art can cause distractions for drivers and pedestrians and can interfere with the operation of autonomous vehicles. The city risks losing state funding for essential projects if it fails to comply…