The City of Minneapolis is preparing to begin the physical transformation of one of the most significant sites of the modern civil rights movement. City officials announced during a public meeting on Monday that they intend to break ground in June on the George Floyd Square reconstruction, a project aimed at balancing critical infrastructure needs with the preservation of a global memorial.
The intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue—the site where George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020—has served for years as a grassroots sanctuary and a site of protest. The upcoming construction follows a December vote by the Minneapolis City Council, which approved a rebuilding plan after years of contentious debate over how to honor the site while maintaining the functionality of the surrounding neighborhood.
The final approved design retains the existing roundabout at the heart of the intersection and ensures the roads remain open to two-way traffic. However, the project is not a simple repaving; it is a multi-year effort to modernize aging utilities and formalize the space’s role as a memorial.
A Phased Approach to Reconstruction
To minimize disruption to the community and the memorial’s visitors, the city is splitting the work into two distinct stages. The first phase, beginning this summer, focuses on the periphery of the square. Construction will target the roadways and sidewalks on 38th Street to the east of the intersection and on Chicago Avenue south of the intersection.
The most sensitive portion of the project—the central intersection and the remaining blocks—will not be touched until the second phase, scheduled for 2027. This staggered timeline allows the city to address immediate infrastructure failures while delaying the most disruptive work at the heart of the square.
| Project Phase | Timeline | Primary Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Phase One | June 2024 | 38th St (East) and Chicago Ave (South) |
| Phase Two | 2027 | Central intersection and remaining blocks |
City staff indicated on Monday that they are launching a weekly email newsletter and updating the project website to provide residents with real-time data on traffic detours and construction schedules.
Preserving the Art of the Movement
One of the most delicate aspects of the project is the fate of the art that has come to define the square. The area is currently home to various murals, sculptures and tributes maintained by local activists and community members.
Mary Altman, the Minneapolis public arts administrator, emphasized that the city does not intend to erase these contributions. “The city’s goal is to make sure that we have an active memorial space at all times during construction,” Altman said during the meeting.
The plan involves the temporary relocation of several key pieces, including the iconic raised fist sculptures that anchor the square. Altman noted that the city is coordinating directly with the artists involved. This includes Mari Mansfield, the artist responsible for the poignant list of names of victims of police violence painted along Chicago Avenue, to ensure the work is preserved throughout the transition.
Community Tension and Differing Visions
Despite the city’s efforts to integrate memorials, the project remains a point of friction for some residents and activists. For many, the site is a sacred space that should not be governed by the same urban planning metrics as any other city street—especially given that the tragedy occurred at the hands of a city employee.
A group of community members previously proposed an alternative reconstruction plan. Their vision called for a more aggressive shift toward pedestrian-only spaces and the implementation of one-way traffic on a portion of Chicago Avenue to reduce vehicle presence near the memorial.
Jeanelle Austin, the lead caretaker of George Floyd Square, expressed disappointment that the city did not lean further into the community’s vision. “It’s fair to say in the community that there is a desire for the infrastructure changes, but what that change looks like is a different imagination, I think, that the community has position forth from what public works desires,” Austin said.
The City Council did weigh the possibility of a full pedestrian-only plaza but ultimately rejected the idea. That decision was based on a public works study highlighting significant legal and logistical challenges, as well as pressure from local business owners who argued that maintaining street access was vital for the economic survival of the mixed-employ corridor.
Infrastructure and Urban Design
Beyond the symbolic nature of the site, the city argues that the reconstruction is a matter of necessity. The intersection is overdue for the replacement of aging infrastructure, including the removal of lead pipes, a priority for public health in the City of Minneapolis.
The new design incorporates several specific urban planning features intended to balance safety and accessibility:
- Pedestrian Safety: A wide pedestrian space will be created in front of Unity Foods (formerly Cup Foods), the site where Floyd was killed, specifically designed to ensure vehicles do not drive over that spot.
- Multi-modal Transit: A new sidewalk-level bike lane will be installed on Chicago Avenue south of 38th Street.
- Event Flexibility: The streets at the center of the intersection will be raised to sidewalk level, and the city will install gates, allowing the area to be quickly and easily closed to vehicle traffic for community events and commemorations.
As the June groundbreaking approaches, the city continues to seek community input. A follow-up public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. In Phelps Park to address remaining concerns and provide further technical details.
If you or a loved one are struggling with the emotional impact of racial violence or trauma, support is available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 in the U.S. And Canada.
The next official checkpoint for the project will be the Tuesday evening community meeting at Phelps Park, where city staff are expected to provide further updates on the June start date.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the balance between urban infrastructure and memorial preservation in the comments below.
