George Floyd Square pedestrian mall plan hits a roadblock
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Minneapolis public works planners say most property owners in George Floyd Square oppose a pedestrian mall plan. Photo: Kyle Stokes/Axios
A Minneapolis City Council push to transform George Floyd Square into a pedestrian mall has hit a snag: at least three-quarters of the property owners at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue oppose closing the street permanently.
- A state law requires a majority of property owners' support.
Why it matters: The property owners' objections add to the uncertainty about what comes next at the intersection, where temporary barricades still ring the spot where police murdered Floyd in 2020.
- In December, council members risked delaying the project into 2026 to order a more complete study of the pedestrian mall.
Yes, but: The option to build a shorter pedestrian mall is still viable regardless of support from property owners, council members Aurin Chowdhury and Jason Chavez told Axios.
- The city owns the former gas station across the street, meaning its support would theoretically be enough under state law to create a short mall with businesses to the north on Chicago Avenue accessible via a cul-de-sac.
Catch up quick: Last fall, public works planners recommended making the square's current layout permanent, leaving space for a memorial to Floyd and adding gates to block the street for special events.
- They recommended against closing off part of Chicago Avenue to all traffic other than emergency vehicles, in part because a city-sanctioned survey showed the idea lacked resident support.
What they're saying: "We are committed to making that space usable for these gatherings, and having it easy to be closed," public works director Tim Sexton told the council Thursday.
- City planner Nathan Koster told the council that more property owners along the route were open to recurring or regular closures of the intersection.
The other side: Chowdhury questioned the regular schedule of closures, saying she was uncomfortable with the idea of the intersection's caretakers needing to file for permits or pay fees to continue memorial activities.
Friction points: Floyd's murder "broke" many neighbors' trust in city officials, Chavez said.
- Some have also called for the city to spend on housing and social services in the neighborhood before tearing up the street.
- Koster said the street surface and the utility infrastructure underneath is old and overdue for a rebuild. The pedestrian mall would also relocate a long-detoured bus line out of the intersection permanently.
What's next: The council committee voted to continue the item. It next meets Feb. 6.