A community-led coalition is building momentum in its effort to rename Edmund Boulevard, a scenic 1.5-mile stretch along the Mississippi River with a name rooted in racial exclusion. For years, the group has worked to raise awareness of the boulevard’s history and engage neighbors in a conversation about what—and who—should be commemorated in public spaces.
The street is currently named for Edmund G. Walton (1865–1919), the area’s first real estate developer to impose racially restrictive covenants on properties he sold. These covenants, used throughout the 20th century, legally prohibited people of color from purchasing or occupying homes—helping to enforce racial segregation across Minneapolis and shaping the city’s demographics for generations.
Naming reflects values, not just history
The coalition argues that street names are not neutral—they reflect the values we choose to uphold. In this case, twelve street signs currently honor a man who codified racial exclusion into neighborhood development.
Renaming the street, advocates say, is about more than erasing a name. It’s about acknowledging past harm, rejecting a legacy of segregation, and creating space for a more inclusive vision of community.
Community invited to help select a new name
As their campaign nears a key decision point, the coalition is seeking input from Minneapolis residents to help choose a new name for the boulevard. A feedback form has been launched to collect community preferences on three proposed replacement names.
To ensure a diverse and representative response, the form also gathers basic contact and demographic information.
More than a name change
Supporters say the renaming effort is part of a larger reckoning with Minneapolis’ racial history—and a chance to imagine a future rooted in equity and accountability.
“This isn’t just about a street sign,” one organizer said. “It’s about who we choose to honor, and what kind of community we want to build.”
Community members are encouraged to take part in the process and help shape the next chapter of this historic riverfront boulevard.