Council moves to restart parts of George Floyd Square redevelopment, waives special assessments
June 11, 2026 | Minneapolis City, Hennepin County, Minnesota
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The Minneapolis City Council on June 11 rejected the path presented for redevelopment at George Floyd Square and separately voted to waive special assessments for the adjacent 38th Street reconstruction. Council members said the decisions respond to community frustration that the procurement and outreach process lacked transparency.
“Community input was clear. This was not the path forward,” Council Member Stevenson said during an extended debate on the People’s Way site, characterizing the selection process as “extremely painful for everyone involved.” Council Member Chavez, who represents the area, called George Floyd Square “a sacred space” that requires a transparent, community-led development approach.
The council moved to deny the recommendation to award exclusive development rights to the developer under consideration for the People’s Way (the Agape-related recommendation brought up in committee). Members who supported denial emphasized a city-commissioned survey and neighborhood feedback showing the procurement results were not aligned with local priorities.
On the adjacent infrastructure, the council voted to deny two special-assessment items that would have charged property owners for 38th Street and Chicago Avenue reconstruction. Supporters of the denial argued it was unjust to levy assessments in a location deeply marked by the 2020 killing of George Floyd and the years of community organizing around the site. “You can’t do something for the community and then charge them for it,” Council Member Stevenson said.
Council members said construction and essential right-of-way actions will proceed where legally necessary; the council separately approved a technical area-way abandonment needed to continue street work so that construction is not delayed.
What happens next: several council members said they had asked to meet with the mayor to chart a new, community-centered procurement path. City staff told the council officials are prepared to frame options and timelines for a revised process, recognizing the technical time needed for environmental remediation, permitting and design.
Votes at a glance
- Deny recommendation to award exclusive development rights for the People’s Way at George Floyd Square: motion recorded and advanced for separate action during the meeting; recorded roll-call on the developer-related motion produced 10 Ayes, 2 Nays, 1 Abstention in the earlier procedural vote on the item in committee discussions. (Referenced throughout SEG 1660–2360.)
- Deny special assessments for 38th Street reconstruction (items 2.1 and 2.2): passed (roll recorded as 12 Ayes; see SEG 2669–2696). Outcome: assessments waived; construction-related abandonment (item 2.3) approved so work can proceed.
Who said it (selection of quotes)
“Community input was clear. This was not the path forward,” Council Member Stevenson said in urging denial of the procurement recommendation.
“George Floyd Square is a sacred space,” Council Member Chavez said, urging a process that builds community trust and delivers a memorial and civic uses reflecting residents’ priorities.
The council scheduled follow-up conversations between ward members, council leadership and the mayor’s office to determine a path forward. City staff cautioned that redeveloping the site will still require remediation and permitting time, and they said staff stand ready to support a renewed, community‑led process.
Background and context
The discussion grew out of a multi-year effort to transform property known as George Floyd Square into memorial, community and development uses. Council members and community advocates said promises made early in the process about selection timing, community involvement, and transparency were not met. The council’s actions on June 11 stop the incoming recommendation and require city officials and council leadership to coordinate a new process that prioritizes local buy-in and the logistical realities of redevelopment.
The council’s decision does not itself name a replacement developer or produce a new timeline; rather, it redirects staff and elected leaders to work with the community and the mayor’s office on next steps.
The meeting record and public comment on this item are part of the council file and available in the council’s legislative information management system.
“Community input was clear. This was not the path forward,” Council Member Stevenson said during an extended debate on the People’s Way site, characterizing the selection process as “extremely painful for everyone involved.” Council Member Chavez, who represents the area, called George Floyd Square “a sacred space” that requires a transparent, community-led development approach.
The council moved to deny the recommendation to award exclusive development rights to the developer under consideration for the People’s Way (the Agape-related recommendation brought up in committee). Members who supported denial emphasized a city-commissioned survey and neighborhood feedback showing the procurement results were not aligned with local priorities.
On the adjacent infrastructure, the council voted to deny two special-assessment items that would have charged property owners for 38th Street and Chicago Avenue reconstruction. Supporters of the denial argued it was unjust to levy assessments in a location deeply marked by the 2020 killing of George Floyd and the years of community organizing around the site. “You can’t do something for the community and then charge them for it,” Council Member Stevenson said.
Council members said construction and essential right-of-way actions will proceed where legally necessary; the council separately approved a technical area-way abandonment needed to continue street work so that construction is not delayed.
What happens next: several council members said they had asked to meet with the mayor to chart a new, community-centered procurement path. City staff told the council officials are prepared to frame options and timelines for a revised process, recognizing the technical time needed for environmental remediation, permitting and design.
Votes at a glance
- Deny recommendation to award exclusive development rights for the People’s Way at George Floyd Square: motion recorded and advanced for separate action during the meeting; recorded roll-call on the developer-related motion produced 10 Ayes, 2 Nays, 1 Abstention in the earlier procedural vote on the item in committee discussions. (Referenced throughout SEG 1660–2360.)
- Deny special assessments for 38th Street reconstruction (items 2.1 and 2.2): passed (roll recorded as 12 Ayes; see SEG 2669–2696). Outcome: assessments waived; construction-related abandonment (item 2.3) approved so work can proceed.
Who said it (selection of quotes)
“Community input was clear. This was not the path forward,” Council Member Stevenson said in urging denial of the procurement recommendation.
“George Floyd Square is a sacred space,” Council Member Chavez said, urging a process that builds community trust and delivers a memorial and civic uses reflecting residents’ priorities.
The council scheduled follow-up conversations between ward members, council leadership and the mayor’s office to determine a path forward. City staff cautioned that redeveloping the site will still require remediation and permitting time, and they said staff stand ready to support a renewed, community‑led process.
Background and context
The discussion grew out of a multi-year effort to transform property known as George Floyd Square into memorial, community and development uses. Council members and community advocates said promises made early in the process about selection timing, community involvement, and transparency were not met. The council’s actions on June 11 stop the incoming recommendation and require city officials and council leadership to coordinate a new process that prioritizes local buy-in and the logistical realities of redevelopment.
The council’s decision does not itself name a replacement developer or produce a new timeline; rather, it redirects staff and elected leaders to work with the community and the mayor’s office on next steps.
The meeting record and public comment on this item are part of the council file and available in the council’s legislative information management system.
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