Minnesota is at a critical juncture of reconciliation. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020, at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, the area has been transformed by the community into a space offering solace from the pain of their shared heartache.
Officially designated as George Perry Floyd Square, the intersection became a focal point for memorials, protests and dialogues surrounding systemic racism and police brutality. The city prepares to unveil its plans for redeveloping the square at a dinner dialog on Oct. 29.
Since March, the city has collaborated with the Black-led architectural design firm 4RM+ULA and the Cultural Wellness Center to conduct a series of dinner dialogues and visioning workshops to create a comprehensive blueprint for the square’s redesign.
Public Works staff emphasized the importance of honoring the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, stating, “This is a significant opportunity for us all to define the future of 38th & Chicago.” Community engagement has been a cornerstone of this transformation, with many residents advocating for a redevelopment process that prioritizes healing, inclusivity, and respect for the social movements that emerged from this tragedy.
The city’s engagement goals are multifaceted. They include allowing for racial healing, fostering community relationships, and ensuring that the redesign reflects the needs of local residents. Feedback gathered from community stakeholders noted the need for economic vitality, safety improvements, and spaces that encourage gathering and reflection.
As the city moves forward, key design principles have emerged, focusing on creating a sacred space. Notably, officials have stated that there will be no vehicular or transit access to the exact location where Floyd was murdered—reinforcing the square’s status as a memorial site.
“George Floyd Square has been a dynamic community memorial space since the day George Floyd was murdered,” said Alexander Kado, Minneapolis senior project manager. “Community members and local caretakers have been preserving the memorials by working with artists. Rise and Remember (formerly George Floyd Global Memorial) has led the preservation effort.”
In light of the city’s efforts to reimagine the square, questions remain about the path to repair and forgiveness. Historical precedents, such as memorials for victims of the Vietnam War, illustrate the importance of thoughtful design and community involvement in healing spaces.
However, past failures in memorialization efforts serve as cautionary tales, emphasizing the need for genuine engagement with affected communities. Harriet F. Senie, professor emerita of art history at City College New York and a renowned expert on public art, is the author of several books and articles on memorials. In one essay she cautions, “[B]y focusing primarily on the victims, memorials to these events succeed in separating them from the event that caused their death.”
She believes that the conflation of heroes and victims forms an assumptive basis of a memorial. “So, too, does the diversionary narrative of hope that emphasizes the triumphal communal spirit prompted by the respective heinous crimes, which projected war-like destruction into our civic midst.”
Activist leaders have said the community must determine what, beyond memorializing this site, is needed for true healing to occur. They offer that this process requires a collective introspection that acknowledges the complexity of grief and the multifaceted nature of justice.
On this topic, Mayor Jacob Frey announced: “George Floyd Square is a place of profound significance for our city, and its development will reflect our commitment to community-led transformation. Through ongoing engagement efforts, we’re ensuring the future of George Floyd Square reflects the values of those most deeply connected to the site—people are making their voices heard and we’re listening. We’re taking the time to get this right.”
As the city plans for the future, the ongoing dialogues surrounding equity, justice and remembrance are set to shape the square’s redevelopment and the broader narrative of our public sphere. The final vision document and preferred street designs will be shared with the city council on Nov 12.
Alexzia Shobe welcomes reader responses at ashobe@spokesman-recorder.com.