Minneapolis City Council passes financial relief near George Floyd Square, rejects mayor’s pick for developing The Peoples’ Way

On Thursday, the Minneapolis City Council voted on major action items regarding the future of George Floyd Square.

One provides financial relief to those who live and own property near 38^th & Chicago Avenue, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The other rejects a proposal from the mayor, setting up yet more delays. 

The city was seeking a more than $630,000 assessment to help pay for the $15 million construction project that’s underway — but in unanimous support, the council voted to not charge home, business and property owners. 

Help may be on the way for people face special assessments near George Floyd Square

“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 as a way of recommence for the murder of George Floyd,” said Councilor Soren Stevenson, who represents part of the area around George Floyd Square. 

At the meeting, the council also rejected the mayor and city staff’s recommendation on who should have exclusive development rights for the former gas station site at the intersection, now known as The Peoples’ Way.

Defying community input from a survey about what people like to see at the site, the mayor chose the Minnesota Agape Movement to handle the work.

Minneapolis mayor, city staff defy community survey, pushback growing on council

The city and Mayor Frey received sharp criticism from some council members at their meeting. 

“The city absolutely fumbled this process from start to finish,” Robin Wonsley said. 

Council member Jason Chavez, who also represents parts of George Floyd Square, said, “Much of the feedback that my office has received since a decision was made has been frustration and distrust in the process.”

In a statement from the Mayor’s office, they pushed back on the criticism of how he’s handled project planning, sharing specifically about the action taken Thursday:

“Voting down Agape and returning to the drawing board is the Council’s prerogative. Mayor Frey’s goal is to move forward at George Floyd Square and stop delaying. The mayor is already coordinating with Council Members Chavez and Stevenson and City staff to determine a path forward.” 

Since the city shared their pick for development rights at the Peoples’ Way, the mayor’s office has declined multiple interview requests, as we try to learn his reasoning.

We also had other questions about what seems like a contradiction in how he’s felt about community being involved in this process so far.

For example, following a city council override of his veto as they pushed for a 38th & Chicago plan that community surveying found was not wanted in February 2025, the mayor lashed out at council members. 

“Today’s short-sighted decision by the council has ignored community wishes and is a colossal waste of both time and money,” Mayor Frey said that February day last year.