The City of Minneapolis is seeking community developers to help bring the work to re-imagine George Floyd Square into its next phase. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been issued for the People’s Way property at 3744 Chicago Ave. (the former gas station acquired by the City in 2023). The City’s intent is to select a community owner to redevelop the site for a community use.
“For years, community members have been engaged in envisioning the future of George Floyd Square and the People’s Way, and we’re ready to turn that vision into a reality,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “We are committed to creating a space that fosters healing and unity, honors the life of George Floyd, and points toward a more equitable future—finding a developer for this project is a great step forward.”
“I am thrilled that community has worked together to bring us closer to revitalizing this area known as George Floyd Square,” said Council Member Andrea Jenkins. “The People’s Way has the potential to become a community owned, national symbol of social justice and racial healing. We welcome the opportunity for development of the People’s Way site by an organization that will both steward the vision of this deeply engaged community while maintaining important elements that exist today. Thank you to the core group of City staff members for their hard work in helping us reach this point through a careful engagement and planning process.”
“My office encourages our local community organizations to apply to the RFQ and looks forward to collaborating with our leaders and residents dedicated to the important and justice-oriented work that Minneapolis deserves,” said Council Member Jason Chavez.
“Beginning the process to find a community developer for the People’s Way in George Floyd Square is a major milestone,” said City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher. “The release of this application process stands on years of engagement alongside community and hard work from staff across the Office of Public Service. From the street design to economic development opportunities and space for memorials, this vision is taking shape and we are making progress together.”
Since 2021, the City and project team have been working with community members to inform the project’s vision and values. This year, those engagement sessions included multiple visioning workshops and dinner dialogues.
People’s Way/RFQ Process
The foundation of the City’s RFQ is based on the years of engagement with community. The City will review the qualifications of organizations to own, develop, and operate the People’s Way property with a community-centered mission and focus. Eligible applicants to the RFQ must be led by a non-profit organization. City leadership will also evaluate applications based on relevant experience, financial qualifications and stewardship intentions for the site.
A link to the RFQ can be found on the City’s website.
An RFQ informational meeting for interested community developers will be held on October 10th. RFQ applications are due Fri, Nov 22. The review process will include community engagement and is expected to take place in early 2025.
Street Concept Timeline
In July, the City shared three concepts for Chicago Ave and 38th Street. They include options that provide for flexible vehicle access, a transit mall and a pedestrian-only plaza. Each of the concepts maintains a consistent design along 38th Street and Chicago Avenue south of 38th Street, while offering different options for Chicago Avenue north of 38th Street. All three options preserve and expand space for pedestrians, community uses for gathering, art and memorials.
Memorials
The community has also been providing input on memorials through the visioning workshops.
This input includes future locations for memorials at George Floyd Square, overall values to guide decision-making and defining the City’s role in review and approvals.
Next Steps
The City will be holding the final visioning workshop on September 24 from 5:30pm until 8pm at 3736 Chicago Ave. This workshop will provide the community more detail on progress made this summer with creating a vision for the site, the RFQ process for the People’s Way property, and next steps with street designs and memorials.
A draft of the vision document will be shared with community members at a dinner dialogue on Oct. 29. The final vision document and preferred street designs will be shared with the City Council on Nov 12.
More information about the work to redevelop George Floyd Square can be found on the City’s website.