Longboat Key Confronts Road Sign Changes Under New Gulf of America Law

Residents on Longboat Key are noticing a change along their main thoroughfare as state workers remove signs referencing the Gulf of Mexico. The removals are part of House Bill 549, a new Florida law that requires all state documents, maps, and signs to replace the term “Gulf of Mexico” with “Gulf of America.”

Despite the change, the Town of Longboat Key has clarified that State Road 789 remains officially known as Gulf of Mexico Drive for now. According to a town news release, local street addresses using the roadway’s current name are not affected at this time.

The matter is not settled, however. The Longboat Key Town Commission will take up the issue at its workshop meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, where members will consider whether to formally rename Gulf of Mexico Drive in accordance with the state’s new law.

If the roadway is renamed, it would alter official addresses for homes and businesses, creating ripple effects for signage, marketing, and property records. To help residents prepare, the town has published a set of frequently asked questions on its website at www.longboatkey.org.

For now, Gulf of Mexico Drive remains unchanged on Longboat Key, though its future identity may soon be in the hands of local leaders.