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yesterday

San Antonio Pauses Pride Sidewalks After Joint Lawsuit as Crosswalk Removal Proceeds

A rare joint lawsuit over the project’s funding forced a pause on the sidewalk plan ahead of a Friday court hearing.

A crew of workers clean the sidewalks along North Main Avenue in the Pride Cultural Heritage District on Monday. Rainbow sidewalks are set to be painted on the corners by Friday.
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A worker cleans the sidewalk along North Main Avenue on Monday in preparation for the painting of rainbows on the sidewalks ahead of the removal of the neighborhood’s rainbow crosswalks. The city has until Jan. 15 to comply with Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to remove the crosswalk art and replace it with standard white striping.

Overview

  • Parties led by Pride San Antonio and the Texas Conservative Liberty Forum sued to block sidewalk painting and crosswalk removal, arguing the $170,000 plan uses unappropriated funds without a council vote.
  • The city halted the new sidewalk art but kept its timetable to replace the rainbow crosswalks with standard striping Jan. 12–15 to meet the state’s Jan. 15 compliance deadline.
  • City Attorney Andy Segovia said Public Works’ FY 2026 operational funds cover the work and called the suit without merit, with a preliminary hearing set for Friday afternoon in Bexar County.
  • The Texas Department of Transportation rejected San Antonio’s exemption request following state and federal guidance against nonstandard roadway markings that officials say could jeopardize transportation funding.
  • City data show pedestrian injuries declined at the intersection since the rainbow crosswalks were installed in 2018, while two council conservatives criticized using public dollars as others voiced support for preserving Pride visibility.