Minneapolis Planners Unveil Pedestrian-Only Plaza Design For George Floyd Square

Minneapolis Planners Unveil Pedestrian-Only Plaza Design For George Floyd Square

MINNEAPOLIS — City planners have unveiled a new design concept for a pedestrian-only plaza at George Floyd Square, marking the latest step in a years-long and often contentious effort to re-envision the intersection where George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020.

The proposal, revealed at a recent community open house, centers on permanently closing a short stretch of Chicago Avenue to most vehicle traffic, repaving nearby blocks, and creating a public plaza that would serve both as a gathering space and a permanent memorial.

Key Features of the Proposed Design

• Pedestrian Plaza: A car-free public square at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue designed for walking, gathering, and remembrance.
• Vehicle Rerouting: Metro Transit’s D Line bus and other through-traffic would be diverted off Chicago Avenue.
• Emergency & Delivery Access: A mountable curb would allow emergency vehicles and large trucks into the square when needed, while a cul-de-sac would let smaller vehicles turn around.
• Memorial Preservation: The design emphasizes integrating and preserving the existing artwork, protest installations, and community memorials that have defined the site since 2020.

Political and Community Tensions

The design reflects a directive from the Minneapolis City Council, which voted last December to study a pedestrian-only option after rejecting an earlier plan backed by Mayor Jacob Frey. That prior plan would have reopened streets to traffic with the ability to close them for special events.

The debate underscores sharp divisions among city leaders, residents, and business owners:

• Supporters — Local residents and organizers see the intersection as “sacred ground” and argue that a pedestrian-only space best honors the site’s history while ensuring visitor safety.
• Opponents — Many business owners warn that eliminating traffic and parking will harm their livelihoods. A city survey found that most nearby property owners opposed the plaza. Minnesota state law also requires more than half of abutting landowners to agree before streets can be permanently converted into pedestrian-only zones—an obstacle that has stalled past efforts.

Practical Challenges

City officials acknowledge significant hurdles, including snow removal, rerouting transit, maintaining delivery access, and ensuring accessibility for nearby businesses. Public Works Director Tim Sexton noted that further traffic modeling and transit detour planning will be critical if the pedestrian plaza moves forward.

Next Steps and Timeline

The Public Works Department will continue gathering community input, with additional meetings scheduled at local venues such as Bichota Coffee and Plot Gallery this month. Findings will return to the City Council in December, when the post-election council is expected to weigh next steps.

If the pedestrian-plaza concept is approved, the council would need to pass an ordinance to formalize the street closure. While the city has allocated more than $5 million to the project, a final cost estimate has not been released. Reconstruction is expected to take at least one to two construction seasons.

The city is also advancing related redevelopment plans for the former gas station at the corner—now called the People’s Way—envisioned as a community space dedicated to honoring George Floyd’s memory.

MinneapoliMedia