Minneapolis City Council Rejects Mayor's People's Way Developer Selection at George Floyd Square in 10-2-1 Vote
The Minneapolis City Council voted 10-2-1 to reject Mayor Jacob Frey's decision to award Agape Movement exclusive development rights for the People's Way project at George Floyd Square, following a motion by Council Members Soren Stevenson and Jason Chavez citing community opposition, fairness concerns and a selection process the council said the community did not support.
The Minneapolis City Council voted 10-2-1 today to reject Mayor Jacob Frey’s decision to award Agape Movement exclusive development rights for the People’s Way project at George Floyd Square, following a motion brought by Council Members Soren Stevenson and Jason Chavez.
The vote marks a significant reversal for a selection process that had already drawn scrutiny over fairness, transparency, and whether the community’s expressed preferences were being honored. Council Member Stevenson indicated that survey results showing community opposition to the direction had been known since April 2025, yet the city had been moving forward with a process the community did not support.
“Despite what the survey results showed us — and despite these results being known since April 2025 — the city was about to go down a path that the community did not support,” Stevenson said following the vote. “I continue to have concerns about fairness, transparency, and accountability about the selection process and how they even got there.”
The council also voted to reject $636,446 in special assessments that neighbors and small business owners near George Floyd Square were facing for the reconstruction of the corridor. The council refused to pass that cost onto the community, with Stevenson and Chavez framing the decision as one of investment rather than burden.
“They deserve investment, not a bill,” Stevenson said.
In addition, Council Members Stevenson and Chavez authored a legislative directive requesting an update on progress implementing the 38th Street THRIVE Strategic Development Plan, including an update on funding the two council members authored and passed in December. Both said they remain committed to seeing the plan through and ensuring it delivers needed resources along the 38th Street corridor.
The council said it is committed to working on next steps that address community concerns with a collective vision that brings people together and honors George Floyd and his family.