MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minneapolis City Council Resets the Future of George Floyd Square, Rejects Mayor Frey's Developer Selection and Relieves Property Owners of Special Assessments

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (July 1, 2026) The future of George Floyd Square took a significant turn June 11 after the Minneapolis City Council approved a series of consequential measures that reshape both the financial burden of the ongoing reconstruction project and the long-debated redevelopment of The People's Way, the former Speedway gas station that has become one of the nation's most recognized symbols of racial justice and community remembrance.

During a meeting that underscored the continuing political and emotional weight carried by the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, council members unanimously voted to eliminate more than $636,000 in proposed special assessments that would have been charged to nearby property owners. In a separate vote, the Council rejected Mayor Jacob Frey's recommendation to grant the Minnesota Agape Movement exclusive development rights for The People's Way, effectively restarting the redevelopment process. The Council also directed City staff to provide an expedited progress report on the implementation of the 38th Street THRIVE Strategic Development Plan, signaling a broader commitment to equitable investment throughout the surrounding corridor rather than at the memorial site alone.

Collectively, the three actions represent one of the most significant policy resets at George Floyd Square since the City of Minneapolis acquired the former Speedway property in 2023.

Council Unanimously Rejects Special Assessments

The Council voted 13-0 to reject approximately $636,447 in proposed special assessments connected to the nearly $15 million George Floyd Square Reconstruction Project.

Under Minneapolis policy, adjacent property owners typically pay a portion of street reconstruction costs through special assessments. In this case, the assessments would have affected 84 residential and commercial properties, with some homeowners facing bills of roughly $6,500 and certain businesses projected to pay more than $40,000.

Council members concluded that requiring neighborhood residents and business owners to finance part of the reconstruction contradicted the City's stated goal of making reparative investments in a community that has experienced years of economic disruption following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.

Ward 8 Council Member Soren Stevenson, who led the effort opposing the assessments, argued during the meeting that the reconstruction had consistently been presented as a City investment intended to benefit the community rather than a project whose costs should be shifted back onto residents.

"This project has been billed for so long as something the city was doing for the community, and you can't do something for the community and then charge them for it," Stevenson said during the Council meeting.

City officials indicated alternative municipal funding sources are expected to replace the revenue that otherwise would have been generated through the assessments, allowing construction to proceed without interruption.

Construction Already Underway

The financial decision comes as reconstruction work at George Floyd Square officially began on June 8.

The project includes replacement of aging underground water and sewer infrastructure, street reconstruction, pedestrian improvements, landscaping, traffic modifications and permanent public space enhancements. Construction is expected to continue into 2027.

The reconstruction has been years in the making, evolving significantly after George Floyd's murder transformed the intersection into an internationally recognized memorial, protest site and gathering place.

Council Rejects Mayor Frey's Choice for The People's Way

In a second major decision, the Council voted 10-2 with one abstention to reject Mayor Frey's recommendation that the Minnesota Agape Movement receive exclusive development rights for The People's Way. Council Members Michael Rainville and LaTrisha Vetaw voted against the motion, while Pearl Warren abstained.

The City purchased the former Speedway property in 2023 with the intention of permanently preserving and redeveloping the site through a community-centered process.

Following the City's Request for Qualifications process, municipal staff recommended the Minnesota Agape Movement, whose concept envisioned a multi-story development featuring a museum, community gathering spaces, business incubation, rooftop amenities and retail components.

However, the recommendation generated sustained opposition from neighborhood residents and several council members after City-sponsored community engagement produced markedly different results.

A survey of approximately 800 residents across four surrounding neighborhoods found that 58 percent favored the proposal submitted by Rise and Remember, while Agape did not receive majority support in any surveyed neighborhood. Rise and Remember's concept emphasized preserving the site's existing character while adding a memorial garden, greenhouse, public art space and expanded areas for reflection.

Council members argued that advancing a proposal lacking broad community support risked undermining years of public engagement.

Ward 9 Council Member Jason Chavez said residents repeatedly expressed frustration with the selection process and questioned whether community input had been adequately reflected in the City's recommendation.

Council Member Robin Wonsley sharply criticized the City's handling of the redevelopment process, stating during the Council meeting that "the city absolutely fumbled this process from start to finish."

Redevelopment Process Returns to the Drawing Board

The Council's action does not award development rights to another organization.

Instead, the vote officially ends the City's previous Request for Qualifications process and requires municipal leaders to establish a new redevelopment strategy.

Stevenson said the decision gives the City greater flexibility to pursue a redevelopment approach that better reflects documented community preferences while rebuilding trust in the planning process.

Mayor Frey's office acknowledged the Council's authority to reject the recommendation and indicated the administration will work with Council Members Chavez and Stevenson to determine a new path forward for the property.

Council Seeks Accountability on THRIVE Plan

The Council also approved a legislative directive requesting an expedited status report on implementation of the 38th Street THRIVE Strategic Development Plan.

The THRIVE initiative serves as the City's long-term framework for housing, commercial development, cultural preservation and economic stabilization along the 38th Street corridor between Cedar Avenue and Nicollet Avenue.

In December 2025, Minneapolis allocated $1.2 million toward implementing the strategy. Council members requested updated information on how those funds are being deployed and directed City staff to provide a comprehensive progress report within the coming months.

A New Chapter for George Floyd Square

Thursday's votes collectively represent one of the most consequential turning points in the City's stewardship of George Floyd Square since acquiring The People's Way property three years ago.

Rather than advancing redevelopment amid continuing disagreement, council members chose to reopen the planning process while removing a significant financial burden from residents and business owners already affected by years of disruption.

The decisions now place responsibility on City leaders to identify replacement funding for reconstruction, develop a redevelopment process that better aligns with community priorities and demonstrate measurable progress on broader neighborhood revitalization through the THRIVE initiative.

For residents who have spent six years living alongside one of America's most visible public memorials, the June 11 votes were about more than budgets and development proposals. They reflected an ongoing effort to determine how Minneapolis should honor George Floyd's legacy while rebuilding a neighborhood that continues to bear the weight of history.

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