Paint the Street Application

Painted Street Murals and Crosswalks

The City of Detroit has recently received numerous requests from residents and community groups for artistically painted streets and crosswalks. In an effort to support the strong arts and culture community and to provide opportunities to strengthen community identity, the Department of Public Works has put together this document, outlining the process and requirements for installing a painted street mural or crosswalk by a community group. Use this form to submit a request for a painted crosswalk or midblock mural project.

1. Applicant Info

(Community Organization)

Council District

2. Location

REMEMBER -> Only streets classified as minor or local streets will be considered as appropriate locations for street murals/crosswalks. -> You can check this map: https://maps.semcog.org/nfc/ -> All locations should be approved by the Department of Public Works, Traffic Engineering Division. -> All other proposed streets will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We encourage you to submit your application and design and we will work with you to determine if your design is feasible.

Project Type

3. Project Goals

-> Describe your project's goals and current conditions. Why this location? Are there schools, shops, or homes nearby? Is there historical/cultural significance?

4. Proposed Design

-> Your design must be approved by the Department of Public Works, the Office of Arts & Culture, and the District Manager. Please include a copy of your proposed design, scaled to the best of your ability. Please include street names for context.

Please upload a copy of your proposed design. DESIGN GUIDANCE: - Community identity logos are acceptable but no advertising of any sort will be allowed. - Designs should not replicate or mimic traffic control devices (ex: stop signs). - The city requires using water-based traffic paint because of easier clean-up, lower toxicity, and a long life span. - Decorative patterns should not be done in any reflective material. - For crosswalks, all original white reflective crosswalk markings must remain, with the decorative portions added around the white reflective markings. - For midblock street murals, they must be located at a minimum of 20 feet from the intersection.

Drag and drop files here or

5. Maintenance Agreement

-> The City of Detroit will not maintain the street painting and the applicant is responsible for maintaining and re-painting the mural as needed. The community will need to reapply for a Block Party or Special Events permit in the years following to touch up the painting. In the case that the painted crosswalk/mural is no longer being maintained, either the applicant is required to remove the painting and/or the City reserves the right to remove the mural by powerwashing the paint off.

By typing your name, you agree to maintain the mural/painted crosswalk to the best of your ability.

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