The Minneapolis City Council has now voted to approve plans to turn a building at 2633 Minnehaha Avenue into the City’s new Third Police Precinct and Safety Center.
More than three years ago, the building was set on fire in response to the murder of George Floyd by rioters.
Thursday, in a vote of 8 to 5, members approved opening a new police station which is just a few blocks away from the original location
Council member Jamal Osman voted in favor of the move.
"This is the first step in getting that healing, that work we talk about, that holistic vision that we have," explained Osman. "We have hesitation, it is real. The concerns are real but we have to move forward."
Those concerns come from some residents who are saying they don’t even want a police, brick-and-mortar physical presence in the third precinct, adding that they need more time to heal following the police murder of George Floyd.
Mayor Jacob Frey says it's time to move on and he is grateful to those who worked to get this done.
Frey says the project is estimated to take nine months allowing the city to move in within a year of site control. Costs for the project are projected to be $14 million.