The city of Minneapolis plans to begin construction on George Floyd Square as early as next summer. At a community meeting Tuesday evening, staff released their street design proposal for the intersection where Minneapolis police killed George Floyd in 2020.

City staff crafted the proposal after years of engagement projects with neighbors, businesses and residents across the city.

Some residents and business owners say they are glad the city is devoting resources to improving the intersection’s infrastructure. But others say they don’t want the city to devastate the streets — at least until they feel the city has responded to their demands for justice.

Jay Webb, who lives nearby and maintains the George Floyd Square garden, said the city is interfering with neighbors’ ongoing work in memorials, art and protest.

“They missed the point,” Webb said, reviewing the plans. “What bothers me is that the city wants to re-envision something when they don’t even realize the original vision.”

The proposed plan

City staff are proposing to rebuild the blocks that abut 38th Street and Chicago Avenue. Roads would be open to all traffic, including buses. The streets would also include bike lanes and widened sidewalks with boulevards for green spaces and memorials.

The city has allocated just over $5.5 million to the project so far; Staff said they will know the exact cost once they finalize construction plans.

Safety Features

The proposal includes a raised intersection, with the aim of slowing traffic and making the square safer for pedestrians.

The city also plans to install lights, ADA accessible ramps and sidewalk extensions to assist pedestrians.

Transit and traffic

The plan would allow the return of Metro D Line and Route 5 bus service along Chicago Avenue, with new stops located south of 38th Street. The Route 23 bus will maintain a stop along 38th Street.

The City is also proposing new cycle paths along both streets. Street parking will be available in several areas of the intersection

City staff say the raised intersection will make it easy to close the plaza to traffic for events.

Art and memorials

The plan will preserve the road medians at the four entrances to the square and the roundabout in the center, where iconic fist sculptures currently stand.

City staff say they will work with the artists to preserve the art and determine whether the artists will want it to remain on the square after construction.

The sidewalk in front of Cup Foods – the spot where George Floyd was murdered and where a large community-planned mural currently stands – will be widened for use as a memorial.

The design process

City staff have been conducting outreach for several years to get feedback on the plans. Even before the death of George Floyd in 2020, the city was looking for ways to invest in the neighborhood through the 38th Street Thrive plan.

Alexander Kado heads the city project. He said it’s time to rebuild the square’s streets, which are dilapidated and have lead pipes underneath.

Kado said the priority was to ensure access for transportation and visitors, while respecting how the community uses the space.

“It’s a really delicate balance…we’ll never get full consensus,” Kado said. “We hear that a lot of people want to be able to get there and back in a way that makes sense and works. »

Kado said ideas such as adding green space, widening sidewalks and making it easier to close the intersection for community events grew out of these engagement sessions.

But other ideas proposed by community members were rejected — such as a pedestrian-only zone on part or all of the intersection.

Nathan Koster, Minneapolis’ transportation planning manager, said the city started with that goal, but it wasn’t achievable.

“There are quite a few challenges to getting there,” Koster said.

The city is required to provide access to driveways for residents and businesses, and clear access for emergency vehicles, which Koster said would not be possible with pedestrian-only areas.

Many community members were skeptical of the plans.

Nickey Robare lives nearby and has participated in several city feedback sessions.

“It seems like really misplaced priorities,” Robare said. “Tearing down a street that has been a global memorial to the victims of police brutality will not bring us healing. »

Robare said they would rather see the money spent on services like housing and health – a sentiment repeated by many activists.

Local activists developed their own alternative plan and handed out copies at Tuesday’s rally. He asked the city to stop its street plan and hand over planning tasks to the community. Activists are also calling on the city to invest in construction elsewhere in the 38th Street corridor, as well as in housing and health resources.

“Take these millions and build additional shelters,” Webb said. “Build shelters, feed some people, put your money where your mouth is.” »

Anthony Taylor is the Community Development Manager for the Cultural Wellness Center and collaborated on the plan. He said he understands the criticism, but he thinks redesigning the plaza will help the community continue to use the space, with easier access.

“I’m very, very in tune with the idea that this is an active memorial, an active protest that’s taking place,” Taylor said. “(The design) should facilitate this ongoing activity. It should also make it easier for businesses to want their customers to be able to walk up to their door without having to worry about parking.

Next steps

City staff will present their recommendations to city council on November 12. The council’s climate and infrastructure committee is expected to hold its first vote on the plan on November 21. Street construction plans will require the green light from council before the city can begin work.

Community members and George Floyd’s family will hold their own town hall meeting to discuss the plans on November 6 at 6 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church.