Request for Committee Action

2022-01133 - City purchase of 3744 Chicago Ave

2022-00460 - Commemorative street name change: Council President Andrea Jenkins, Chicago Ave between 37th St E and 39th St E

Pertinent Information

This Community Engagement Framework (Framework) is a document outlining future community engagement for three distinct, but related, elements at George Floyd Square (GFS). The three elements are:  

1. Peoples Way (3744 Chicago Ave) 
2. Memorials
3. Right-of-way infrastructure 

This Framework will build upon the engagement work conducted over the last two years by the City of Minneapolis, Department of Public Works “38th & Chicago, Re-Envisioned" project and the Thirty-Eighth Street THRIVE Strategic Development Plan, which was developed by the Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) and adopted in 2020. This framework will continue the important engagement work of achieving shared goals for, (i) the permanent use and future ownership of the Peoples Way, (ii) memorials, and (iii) integrating Public Works’ infrastructure project. This Framework defines the following important elements. 

• Vision: outlines the community engagement plan for developing a vision for George Perry Floyd Square that includes the Peoples Way, memorials, and right-of-way infrastructure. 
• Roles: defines the roles of the City of Minneapolis (City) and community stakeholders. 
• Peoples Way: describes a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to identify a future owner of the Peoples Way.  
• Memorials: sets forth the process for identifying goals and locations for future memorials, and for defining the City’s role in these memorials. 
• Right-of-way infrastructure: identifies a plan to identify the right-of-way design and operational needs that can be integrated into a cohesive vision for George Floyd Square.  

This Framework was written by staff and leadership in the Office of Public Service (OPS) with review and feedback from: 

• Arts & Cultural Affairs (ACA)  
• Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) 
• Minneapolis Health Department (MHD) 
• Mayor Frey’s Office 
• Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) 
• Public Works (PW) 
• Race Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) 
• Ward 8 and Ward 9 Offices 

Background Information 

Community history 

In the early twentieth century, restrictive housing covenants in deeds discriminated against African Americans and segregated this community to living in certain areas. By the 1930s, one of the city’s three distinct African American neighborhoods developed on the Southside, between East 34th and 46th Streets and from Nicollet Avenue to Chicago Avenue. The intersection of 38th Street East and 4th Avenue South was the center of the African American business district, with over 20 African American owned businesses from the 1930s to the 1970s. 

In 2015, planning work for “future of East 38th Street” began with a focus on preserving African American history and advancing long-term, generational wealth and both home and business ownership on the Southside of Minneapolis. This work evolved over the years and in 2019 Thirty-Eighth Street THRIVE, a strategic development plan was initiated and then formally adopted by City Council in 2021. 

Murder of George Floyd 

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officers at the intersection of 38th St and Chicago Ave. His murder set off a series of worldwide protests against police killings of Black people in the United States.  These protests began at the intersection where he was murdered and due to the large amount of people in the intersection, it was soon closed to vehicular traffic to maintain the safety of the visitors and protect the area from damage. The area has since become a gathering space for personal memorials, offerings, events, community healing, and reflection. The City reopened the intersection to vehicles in June of 2021.The Mayor and City Council formally changed the commemorative street name to “George Perry Floyd Square” on May 20, 2022. 

Public Works – 38th & Chicago Re-Envisioned project 

In April 2022, Public Works initiated a community engagement process to redesign the right-of-way infrastructure within George Floyd Square through the 38th & Chicago Re-Envisioned project. The right-of-way infrastructure needs to change to reflect how the intersection has transformed since the murder of George Floyd and better reflect community needs. This project includes a redesign and reconstruction of the intersection, which includes 38th Street East from Park Avenue to 10th Avenue South and along Chicago Avenue from 37th Street East to 39th Street East. Public Works has been leading this effort and actively engaging with residents, businesses, and community stakeholders through a variety of methods to collect feedback, listen, and better understand the needs of the community. Much of the community input gathered during engagement events and activities expanded well beyond the common themes of a traditional infrastructure project and will be used to guide upcoming efforts for the Peoples Way and memorial efforts within George Floyd Square. Public Works has conducted four general rounds of engagement, which included many in-person and virtual events such as listening sessions, focus groups, pop-up events in the community, open houses, online surveys, learning tables, block group meetings, and Co-Creation Team meetings.

Peoples Way (3744 Chicago Ave)  

In October 2022, the City announced plans to purchase the property at 3744 Chicago Ave. The City Council approved the purchase (and an environmental investigation of the site) in November 2022. The City purchased the property on June 30, 2023. City staff worked for several months clearing title issues, completing pollution investigations, and removing remaining fuel prior to the purchase. 

The City plans to own and manage the site until a community-centered buyer is identified.  The City will manage the property with minimal changes in day-to-day activities and community use. The City’s maintenance activities will include securing the building to prevent interior access and potential damage, shoveling snow, disposing of garbage, removing unsafe conditions or structures, and working with the community to maintain a positive presence on site.  

The ultimate vision for this site will result from a community-centered engagement process. The City will assist with the transition of the property into a space that continues to serve the needs of the community, honor the memory of George Floyd, and promote racial justice and healing. Goals that have been identified by the City in 2022 include: 

• Creating public space for racial healing and justice & a national racial justice healing center 
• Preserve the legacy of a deeply rooted African American community 
• Support the Floyd family’s work to build permanent memorials  
• Improve public safety 
• Invest in the people and businesses in the area 

Memorials to George Floyd 

The City recognizes that George Floyd Square is an active and dynamic memorial space, and that community input needs to guide how memorial elements are integrated into the future development of the Peoples Way and reconstruction of the right-of-way. Future memorials may include elements from the existing memorial space, as well as new elements. These memorials may be located at George Floyd Square as well as other spaces in the community. Future memorials may pay tribute to George Floyd as well as others, as guided through community input.