Phoenix Suns ask to paint 15 crosswalks in downtown to kick off NBA playoffs
The Phoenix Suns will ask City Council to paint 15 crosswalks the team colors of orange and purple to kick off the NBA playoffs April 15.
The City Council will consider the request to paint the crosswalks April 5. If approved, the basketball team will be responsible for installing and removing the temporary designs — and covering the costs — which will be along Jefferson Street at Central Avenue and First, Second and Third streets.
The crosswalks would be painted by April 15 and would be removed after the playoffs, streets department spokesperson Gregg Bach told The Republic.
The city has similar crosswalk paintings in honor of the LGBT community at Seventh and Glenrosa avenues and Central Avenue at Portland Street that feature a rainbow pattern, although those markings are permanent.
In 2020, members of the public unsuccessfully advocated for Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter street murals. Then-City Manager Ed Zuercher rejected the requests before the proposals could make it to the council, citing safety concerns.
The city's policy on "non-standard" crosswalk markings also bans images, graphics, text or logos, instead allowing only solid colors and patterns.
Related: Phoenix debuts rainbow crosswalks to celebrate LGBT residents
Reach the reporter Taylor Seely at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @taylorseely95.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns want to paint orange and purple crosswalks in downtown
