A proposal to create a partially taxpayer funded 'rainbow crosswalk' at a near north side intersection to denote LGBT pride is expected to spark a lively discussion at City Hall when it comes up at this week's City Council meeting, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The rainbow crosswalk would be painting on all four streets at the intersection of North Main and East Evergreen, in the LGBT friendly neighborhood east of San Antonio College known colloquially as 'the gayborhood.'
The total cost of the rainbow crosswalk is pegged at just over $32,000, but the taxpayers would pick up just $12,600 of that cost, which the city says is the normal cost of painting a standard black and white crosswalk.
The rest of the funding will come from donations to Pride San Antonio, a non profit.
City officials stress this is a 'pilot program,' and there are no plans in the works for any more 'artistic crosswalks.' The results of the pilot program will be taken to the City Council Transportation Committee for future policy direction.
The rainbow crosswalk is expected to receive City Council approval, but that approval is not expected to come without opposition. Several members of council have raised objections to the project at a time when the City is debating its 2019 budget, and many homeowners find themselves squeezed by rising property taxes.