“Reimagining” George Floyd Square
Fox 9 TV reports that the City of Minneapolis is pushing ahead with plans for the former Speedway gas station at the site, near where the unfortunate events of Memorial Day 2020 took place.
Fox 9 notes that the fifth and final “visioning workshop” for the space will take place today at 5:30 pm at a venue near the 38th St. and Chicago Ave. intersection in south Minneapolis. A draft “vision” is scheduled for release on October 29.
We visited the site back in May for our annual pilgrimage (4th anniversary) to George Floyd Square:
The former Speedway features prominently in our video tour of the Square.
The gas station (redubbed “Peoples’ Way”) first appears at the 0:24 second mark. The area has changed little over our previous visits in 2022 and 2023.
The city purchased the site from the corporate owners back in June 2023. According to county property records, the sale price recorded for the 1/3-acre parcel was a mere $200,000.
The city hosts a large website devoted to George Floyd Square, his memory, and its plans for the Speedway site.
The city is currently seeking a “community partner” with applications due on November 22. The city intent is to sell the property. Only nonprofits may apply (p. 11). Suggested future uses for the property include a:
o memorial
o racial justice and healing center
o space for reflection and contemplation
o museum
o art gallery
o community center
o center for social services – such as health services, legal
assistance, job training, youth services, or civic education
Future owners will be obligated to maintain certain existing amenities, including, but not limited to, outdoor seating, specific memorials, and indoor public restrooms.
Demographic information included with the city’s request (p. 6) portrays the area as solidly middle-class, which you wouldn’t expect from the video above or media portrayals of the area.
The city is expected to decide on a direction for the site on or about the 5th anniversary in May 2025.