Minneapolis City Council Rejects City Plan For George Floyd Square In Favor Of Pedestrian Mall Vision

Minneapolis City Council Rejects City Plan For George Floyd Square In Favor Of Pedestrian Mall Vision

After the city presented a plan this fall, the city council is now asking to explore a different concept for the site of Floyd's murder.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday morning to kick discussions about George Floyd Square back to committee, in essence rejecting the city's recommendations in favor of a new vision involving a pedestrian mall at the site of Floyd's murder.

After years of public engagement, the city of Minneapolis presented a plan this fall that would rebuild streets and sidewalks around the square, while preserving green space and memorials. That plan largely opened the site up for a regular flow of traffic.

Instead of pursuing that plan, though, a majority of council members expressed support Thursday for the pedestrian mall concept, an idea made more feasible in light of a new law passed by the state legislature. The pedestrian mall — which might roughly mirror a walker-friendly design like Nicollet Mall -- would drastically limit vehicular traffic with exceptions for neighborhood residents and first responders.

Ward 9 Council Member Jason Chavez led the calls for the pedestrian mall.

"This resolution is about supporting a pathway forward," Chavez said. "I'm saying that we will be building a pedestrian mall moving forward, but we will also be hearing from the community to address concerns they have about livability."

Chavez denied that the city's vote on Thursday represented any sort of delay, but opposing council members pushed back.

Ward 8 Council Member Andrea Jenkins said the decision is "clearly a delay."

"I cannot, in good conscience, support this resolution," Jenkins said. "It completely disregards thousands of hours of community engagement, of staff time, of staff recommendations."

The city had also spent millions of dollars already on the plan for George Floyd Square. At the meeting, Public Works Director Tim Sexton said there's no way for the city to continue pursuing its own recommendations while simultaneously exploring the council's new pedestrian mall idea.

City staff intended to start construction in June 2025, but Mayor Jacob Frey said that timeline is now at risk.

"We need to make a decision, and my frustration is the council keeps pushing the can down the road," Frey said. "We just need to find a way to not have constant obstruction."

The council's new concept for George Floyd Square will be referred back to the Climate and Infrastructure Committee.

According to city staff, the pedestrian mall concept would require a new round of public engagement with residents, business owners and even emergency responders like the Minneapolis Fire Department.

SOURCE: KARE 11