Minneapolis To Reopen 38th And Chicago After Derek Chauvin Trial

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced Friday plans to reopen 38th Avenue and Chicago Street following the trial of Derek Chauvin.

The former Minneapolis police officer is scheduled to stand trial March 8 for the killing of George Floyd at that intersection last summer. In a video that went viral last year, Chauvin can be seen kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes at 38th Avenue and Chicago Street. Floyd, 46, later died after saying that he was struggling to breathe.

"The events that happened on May 25, 2020 have forced everyone across the city, in our nation and across the world to come to a global reckoning with our shortcomings on racial injustices and systemic racism," the mayor said during a news conference.

Following Floyd's death, the intersection became a memorial to Floyd. Filled with vibrant artwork and heartfelt mementos, the intersection has come to be known as George Floyd Square. The location, unfortunately, has remained closed to traffic since his death, resulting in safety concerns for businesses and residents who live nearby.

"The barricades that were originally placed at the intersection to protect people and the public art are now used as a screen for illicit activity and have retraumatized the neighborhood that has already experienced far too much over the last year," the mayor said.

SEE ALSO:

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• George Floyd Death: Former Cop Derek Chauvin Charged With Murder
• Officials: Chauvin Was Ready To Plead To 3rd-Degree Murder
• Minneapolis Appeals Court Won't Delay Derek Chauvin Trial

The mayor said during a news conference that residents and businesses owners have consistently pushed for the area to be reopened. He also stressed that the intersection is not an autonomous zone nor will it ever be.

"The neighborhood and the community around there have stated very clearly that they expect robust city services and access, and we will provide it. That includes everything from snow clearance to maintenance to EMS and 911 response," Frey said.

Interim Director of Public Works Brette Hjelle said the city has been providing services to the area since last spring, including solid waste services, traffic signs, barricades as well as snow and ice control.

However, throughout Chauvin's trial, which could last weeks, the area will remain closed to vehicular access. Services to the area will remain uninterrupted.

"We realize that it’s very important to support the intersection with services," he said.

In addition, the city is proposing a plan to reopen the intersection in a way that preserves both the art and memorials while resuming traffic services.

"Ware recommending one of the options presented this fall. The option preserves memorial space and art while providing two-way traffic operations in all directions," Hjelle said. "This option also provides business and residential access and provides the opportunity to restore transit service on Chicago Avenue and 38th Street."

There are two variations within this plan, and Hjelle said they relate to the location of the fist sculpture at the intersection. He said the next step is to send a survey to area residents asking for their preference.

"We expect the surveys to arrive in the community in a few weeks and should have the results a few weeks after that," he said. "Once the design option is determined, we’ll begin work on the intersection as weather allows with the goal of having the street reopened to traffic once the Derek Chauvin concludes."

In addition, city officials said they have pledged more than $10.5 million in funding that is eligible for supporting racial healing in the 38th and Chicago area and has committed to several important initiatives to advance racial justice, including adopting a truth and reconciliation process with the ultimate objective of implementing specific solutions to specific harms that have created and perpetuate racial disparities.

City funding also includes $150,000 for the Creative City Making program to hire a diverse team of artists and healers to create, implement, and lead community engagement processes to guide the City’s community healing and rebuild with racial equity efforts for areas most impacted by civil unrest.

Watch the news conference in its entirety: