George Floyd Square | Southwest Connector

Community Visioning Council cco-chair Mileesha Smith said the process of healing should not be rushed and that the community needs more time during a press conference on Feb. 26, 2025. “We, as people, need time and space with the patience of everyone to come together, to be able to say what this space needs to be able to function for everybody,” said Smith. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Veto override clears path to explore pedestrian mall at GF Square

In February, the Minneapolis City Council overrode Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of the council’s directive for reconstructing 38th and Chicago. Their action, according to Ward 9 Council Member … more

4/18/25

Veto override clears path to explore pedestrian mall at George Floyd Square

In February, the Minneapolis City Council overrode Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of the council’s directive for reconstructing 38th and Chicago. Their action, according to Ward 9 Council Member … more

By Jill Boogren | 3/28/25

Mileesha Smith speaks at Peoples' Way in George Floyd Square on Feb. 26, 2025. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

GFS community calls on city council to override mayor's veto

t a press conference this morning, Feb. 26, 2025, neighbors and community leaders called on city council members to uphold the community’s right to shape the future of George Floyd Square. On … more

by Jill Boogren | 2/26/25

A gathering at the Peoples’ Way in 2021.

Range of building types, uses proposed for Peoples’ Way

Four applicants submitted varying plans for developing the Peoples’ Way (site of the former gas station) at 3744 Chicago Ave. in response to the city of Minneapolis’ request for … more

By Jill Boogren | 2/19/25

The Pedestrian Plaza concept for reconstructing 38th and Chicago creates a cul-de-sac on the 3700 block of Chicago Ave. to provide access for businesses there. It would be pedestrian only in the segment between Unity Foods and the Peoples’ Way.

Pedestrian Mall plan for George Floyd Square moves forward

By Jill Boogren On Dec. 5, 2024, the Minneapolis City Council voted to develop a pedestrian plaza at George Floyd Square. It was one of three concepts shared by the Public Works Department, who … more

By Jill Boogren | 12/11/24

At the Town Hall meeting, neighbor Marcia Howard reminds people who wish to return to normalcy that George Floyd Square is now a historic landmark, and “what was normal was Black folk dying in the middle of the street.”

Health before aesthetics

Neighbors packed the house at Belfry Community Space (3901 Chicago Ave.) on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, for a Town Hall “In Defense of Black Lives.” The meeting was held in response to the … more

By Jill Boogren | 11/20/24

Participants at the fifth city visioning workshop on Sept. 24, 2024, review materials in a breakout room addressing reconstruction of the right of way at 38th St. and Chicago Ave., George Perry Floyd Square.

Tensions rise at city workshop amid calls for police reform

More than 100 people packed The Square event center (3737 Chicago Ave.) on Sept. 24, 2024, for the city of Minneapolis’ fifth and final visioning workshop for George Perry Floyd Square (GFS). … more

By Jill Boogren | 10/16/24

RISE AND REMEMBER 2024

On May 25, Singer Kashimana and Brass Solidarity led a joyful procession from the solidarity fist at 38th St. and Chicago Ave. to the Say Their Names cemetery, where 400 candles were placed around … more

5/30/24

Reimagining 3rd Precinct Space

Conversations about closed and proposed safety facilities continue to bring disagreement and hope to the southside community. While the city seeks feedback on proposals for three … more

By Cam Gordon | 4/25/24

Brass Solidarity performs in Boston during HONK! Oct. 6-8, 2023.

George Floyd Square’s Brass Solidarity goes to HONK!

“Throughout the country and across the globe, a new type of street band movement is emerging — outrageous and inclusive, brass and brash, percussive and persuasive — reclaiming … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 11/2/23

RISE & REMEMBER

Embracing the community-centered theme “Ubuntu,” a term from South Africa that loosely means “I am because we are,” family, friends and supporters gathered May 25-27, 2023 for … more

By Jill Boogren | 6/14/23

3 YEARS

“When I heard about this event, I was so excited because I grew up in this area of Minneapolis… and I wanted to contribute in some kind of way,” said J. Darnell Johnson, author of … more

Jill Boogren | 6/2/23

Resident asks: Where are city leaders? Why aren't they at 3rd Precinct meetings?

Longfellow business owner, 30-year Longfellow resident and local filmmaker Paul Irmiter doesn't want the 3rd Precinct site reopened at its existing location - and none of the residents he's spoken … more

4/14/23

Brass Solidarity leads friends, family and community members in music and song at the Peoples' Way, George Floyd Square, to celebrate Tekle Sundberg on what would have been his 21st birthday Nov. 16, 2022. Sundberg was killed by Minneapolis police on July 14, 2022.

City’s plan to buy Peoples’ Way met with apprehension

At a neighborhood meeting at Sabathani Community Center on October 24, Minneapolis’ Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) agency announced plans to purchase the former Speedway … more

By Jill Boogren | 12/1/22

City’s plan to buy Peoples’ Way met with apprehension

At a neighborhood meeting at Sabathani Community Center on October 24, Minneapolis’ Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) agency announced plans to purchase the former Speedway … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 11/30/22

Toshira Garraway of Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence, shares a joyful moment with George “Perry” Floyd’s aunt Angela Harrelson, his aunt Mahalia Jones (holding microphone), and his cousin Paris Stevens at a celebration of Perry’s life on Oct. 14, 2022, on what would have been his 49th birthday. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Family, friends celebrate George Floyd’s birthday

Family, friends and community members gathered on Oct. 14, 2022, at The Square event center (3736 Chicago Ave.) to celebrate the life and memory of George “Perry” Floyd on what would have … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 11/2/22

Running for GFS

The main caretaker for George Floyd Square (38th and Chicago) and members of the team ran in the Twin Cities Marathon on Oct. 2, 2022 to raise money in support of the memorial and an internship in … more

10/21/22

The Calvary Lutheran Church congregation spills into the street to the upbeat music of Brass Solidarity on Sept.11, the last service Calvary will have there until renovation is complete to add deeply affordable housing units to 39th and Chicago. In the interim, Calvary will worship at Iglesia Luterana San Pablo/St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (2742 15th Ave.). (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Calvary church makes room for deeply affordable housing at 39th and Chicago

Sept. 11, 2022, marked the last day of service for a while at Calvary Lutheran Church (3901 Chicago Ave.). It looked a little different on this day, mostly celebratory, a little bittersweet, with … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 9/29/22

WHAT DOES PUBLIC SAFETY MEAN TO YOU?

A few dozen residents filed into an upstairs gymnasium at Sabathani Community Center (310 E. 38th St.) on Aug. 29 to talk about public safety – specifically as it relates to planned road … more

Jill Boogren | 9/21/22

Brass Solidarity plays a few tunes in front of the Arthur and Edith Lee house at 4600 Columbus where an angry mob gathered in 1931 to force the family out. (Photos by Jill Boogren)

GFS: Sowing Seeds of Solidarity

The little white house at 4600 Columbus Ave. S. is a typical south Minneapolis home. It has a garden out back and another out front, where every year in mid-July the Black-eyed Susans bloom. Its … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 8/2/22