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Minneapolis News
Anika Besst

Minneapolis continues with construction plans for George Floyd Square

Two people talk standing next to poster boards
Artist Jordan Powell-Karis speaks with Craig Vaughn, transportation consultant and extension of Minneapolis City Staff, about the city’s future development plans for the intersection at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, known as George Floyd Square, on Oct. 29.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

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The Minneapolis City Council's Climate & Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously Thursday to advance the conversation about plans for George Floyd Square and the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue.

Redesign plans were in the works before 2020, but they were stalled after George Floyd’s murder.

Plans include creating areas for the community to meet, places for memorial, art and more green space. They also highlight the need to rebuild aging infrastructure and bring public transportation back.

Council member Andrea Jenkins spoke to the historical context of this intersection and neighborhood and the history of redlining and injustice that this square has become a place protesting against.

“It’s really important that we invest in this community to demonstrate that we do recognize the disinvestments that created the conditions that led to that murder,” Jenkins said. “But also to lay a foundation so that we can create a place of social justice, of racial healing, of understanding of each other in more profound ways that we can move beyond the divisions in our communities. And I think this intersection has a opportunity to do just that.”

Jenkins is not a part of that committee. Though she could not vote during the committee meeting, she hoped they would vote to move this proposal to the next phase so they could have a broader discussion.

Council member Jason Chavez also wanted this plan to be brought to the whole council because he said the plan does not include adequate input from residents of the area.

“We’re talking about tearing up the street while there are folks that are unsheltered and unhoused in our community,” Chavez said. ”We’re talking about tearing down the street without ever coming back to the community and saying what you actually need to improve your life and your conditions to live a better life in your neighborhood.”

Chavez cited concerns over the Minneapolis Police Department.

“The conversation that we are having today would have never happened if police accountability would have been the city’s number one priority, if this city government believed in having a professional and accountable and constitutional police department,” Chavez said. “We would not be having this conversation if our police department did not decide to murder George Floyd on broad daylight.”

All committee members voted to bring this to the city council. The full council meets next on Dec. 5.