The city of Minneapolis revealed its “vision document” for George Floyd Square at its final dinner dialogue with the community on Oct. 29. Following Floyd’s murder in 2020, the site became a memorial honoring victims of police brutality—offering reflection, healing, and mutual aid. Understanding that the community should lead efforts to renew that space, the city initiated an engagement process in 2021, leading to its development plans.
Alexander Kado, senior project manager with the Office of Public Service, said three values guided their efforts: “Repairing the collective harms experienced by the community; honoring George Floyd Square as an active memorial space; and centering the needs of the community.”
Community members came out to view the plans, including Willie Robinson, a South Minneapolis resident since 1979. “I always want the community, especially the young people, to have a voice,” he said. “We have to listen to each other if we’re going to change anything.”
The plans for George Floyd Square aim to tackle many community concerns. At a media briefing last week, Nathan Coster, transportation planning and programming manager at Minneapolis Public Works, provided an overview of the development. “We’re going to be adding over half an acre of new greenspace within the right of way, and it will be managed by Public Works. It will be park space with a lot of tree canopy, but also will have a focus on stormwater management.”
The city also pledged to reestablish Metro Transit’s D-Line bus and Route 5 transit service along Chicago Avenue, including new stops south of 38th Street. “This is the region’s highest ridership line, and along this line one in four people don’t have access to a vehicle. This line is one of the most diverse lines that has access to jobs and housing throughout the region,” Coster said.
Other additions include a raised traffic circle in the intersection, wider sidewalks, and more streetside lighting. City officials emphasized the need for infrastructure improvements to address safety and accessibility. The city’s plan to reconstruct the streets aims to replace crumbling water lines, ensure the streets are more easily used by buses and emergency vehicles, and maintain space to accommodate new bikeways.
“The street really needs to be reconstructed. It has severely aging infrastructure and there are even lead pipes under them that we plan to address. It’s a very serious matter of public health in the area,” said Margaret Anderson, the city’s director of Public Works.
The city is taking the lead on reconstructing George Floyd Square and the surrounding area but aims to sell “People’s Way,” the property at 3744 Chicago Ave., to a community-owned nonprofit. Interested parties can apply by Nov. 22. The city will lead a community-centered selection process between November and spring 2025 to select the organization that will “take over the responsibility of honoring the site and moving it forward so that it continues to meet the community’s objectives.”
The city has pledged to preserve the memorials now gracing George Floyd Square. “We haven’t begun the implementation plan for reintegrating the memorials into the street design or into the People’s Way, but that’s the next step for us,” said Mary Altman, public arts supervisor of the city’s Arts & Cultural Affairs Department. “We plan to continue to engage with the community, caretakers, artists, and Rise and Remember throughout that process.”
The nonprofit Rise & Remember led preservation efforts for the memorials—playing a crucial role in ensuring the “Say Their Names Cemetery” and the “Mourning Passage” remain available to the community.
The George Floyd Square Vision Framework includes multiple elements, including enhanced pedestrian access, a flexible street design to accommodate traffic and community gatherings, and dedicated spaces for art and memorials. The framework is intended to balance the need for functional urban infrastructure with the desire for a space that fosters community connection and remembrance.
Residents expressed conflicted feelings about the plan thus far, with many saying they are eager to see outcomes rather than proposals. “The process has been good as far as communication regarding their ideas, but it feels like it’s been just talk,” said Aaron Robinson, fondly known as “Coach ARob” in the community. “I hope the final plan reflects our needs.”
City officials have indicated plans to invest in surrounding communities, recognizing that the redevelopment of George Floyd Square must be part of a larger strategy to address disparities in the area. More than $5 million has been allocated to this project, but specifics of how much funding will benefit local businesses and residents remain unclear.
One community member who asked to remain anonymous expressed concern that the plans do not sufficiently prioritize the needs of those living in poverty nearby. “The plan includes the People’s Way, but in the building next door to that space, there are Indigenous and Black families living in poverty. I want to see the city’s plans for uplifting people around here and helping us get out of poverty before moving on.”
The timeline for redevelopment is still in flux, but the city expects to begin construction after the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s death in May 2025. Coster said that “it will take at least parts of two construction seasons,” but added that the city has not finalized construction plans.
Community members expressed concern about the potential disruptions to their day-to-day life during construction, and asked how the city plans to address transportation difficulties. City officials reiterated that access to George Floyd Square would remain a priority but lacked specific mitigation strategies.
The Minneapolis City Council will review the plan on Nov. 12.
Alexzia Shobe welcomes reader responses at ashobe@spokesman-recorder.com.
Wonderful gesture if the city was to provide a support agency to work hand in hand with caretakers of the space and spirit which organically converged as a result from the harm created. Finish the process of police reform and environmental safety. Pollution from increased traffic chokes increased pedestrian pilgrimage tours. BLM INVE$TED.