Phase one of the George Floyd square construction at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue is complete and opens Friday.
The project, which began in June, finished about a month ahead of schedule.
The main focus was to fix underground utilities, deteriorating water lines, storm sewers and the first streets upgrades in 60 years for the intersection.
Business owners are grateful for the project, which they had been pleading for after long-delayed plans were approved by the City Council.
"It's exciting because one, it can allow traffic to come back through throughways, for commutes back and forth to work, and then it also opens foot traffic back up," explains Bridgette Stewart with Agape Movement.
"It's going to be a blessing. You know, the bus line is supposed to be coming down here, and for me it's good because more people can see that I'm here," adds Thrifty Nifty's Mary Wright.
"I'm excited because I didn't know. Like, Christmas came early," says Just Turkey's Cedric Steelle.
The project will reconstruct about a half mile of Chicago Avenue and 38th Street. This work will happen on 38th Street, from Park Avenue to 10th Avenue, and on Chicago Avenue, from 37th Street to 39th Street.
Phase 2 is anticipated to begin in early 2027 and substantially completed by the end of 2027, according to the city.
In 2020, George Floyd Jr. was killed at the intersection by former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, and became the epicenter for the unrest, protests and riots that followed. This area is now known as George Perry Floyd Square (GFS), and the city project is working to evolve it "beyond its original roadway design."
The design includes:
- Flexible space for gatherings
- Art and Memorials
- Pedestrian safety and traffic calming
- Green Space and stormwater management
- Restored transit service
- New all ages and abilities bikeways
- Access to homes and businesses
- On-street parking
"I'm excited because I didn't know - Christmas came early"
"I'm excited because I didn't know - Christmas came early"
