George Floyd Square: Appeasing activists trumps doing the right thing. Linea Palmisano’s take on GFS.

A message to constituents from Ward 13 Council Member Linea Palmisano, sent on March 12, 2025

At the previous City Council Meeting, nine of my colleagues voted against moving forward with meaningful development at George Floyd Square. This vote denies residents near the intersection access to public transit and critical infrastructure upgrades—including lead pipe replacement, sidewalk upgrades, and lighting improvements—and comes at the expense of our entire City. It betrays public input, delays other Public Works projects across our City, and costs taxpayers an additional $500,000. Perhaps most importantly, this seemingly never-ending process undermines trust in local government. Coming from someone who is a part of that government: rightfully so.

The intersection of 38th and Chicago, the site of George Floyd’s murder, will forever be a place of historical significance in Minneapolis and across the nation. Unlike a typical infrastructure project in Minneapolis, we have invested more than $2.2M and 17,000 hours in community engagement for this project. We have spent the past 4+ years working to ensure this intersection honors the life of George Floyd and creates a space for remembrance and racial healing while also delivering necessary infrastructure upgrades and reflecting the community’s wishes.

70% of the 6,000 surrounding neighbors who were surveyed support the plan brought forward by City staff. This plan is usually referred to as the “flexible open” or “flexible plan.” It would allow for the road to remain open and for transit to continue in the corridor, while also giving the City the ability to close the road for events.

The plan my colleagues are attempting to advance is a pedestrian plaza, an area fully closed off to cars and transit. Consent from at least 50% of the neighboring properties is required by state law. The City surveyed all 20 of the neighboring properties and heard back from 15. All 15 opposed the pedestrian plaza plan. Lacking support from neighboring property owners, this plan is illegal under state law.

It is clear that a majority of my colleagues are more interested in appeasing activists, politicizing this process, and wasting taxpayer dollars than doing right by the community. I voted alongside Council Members Jenkins, Vetaw, and Rainville to honor the feedback we’ve heard from the community and advance meaningful development at George Floyd Square. I stand by the voices of community members, and I stand by this vote.