George Floyd Square’s future remains uncertain as the latest efforts hit a pause after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto. 

The Minneapolis City Council voted on Feb. 13 for the city to research a pedestrian plaza layout across the whole square after staff presented their findings to the Climate and Infrastructure Committee on Dec. 4.

Frey vetoed the council’s decision Thursday to delay the development and said in a press release that the plan is not supported by neighbors or business owners.

“It’s time to move forward, and these repeated delays are unacceptable,” Frey said in a statement. “Residents and businesses in the area have told us time and again that they want action, and this vote stalls the progress yet again. While the delay is frustrating, we won’t be deterred in our efforts to deliver this for the community.”

The original plan was for a flexible-open concept for the East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue South intersection. This would allow all traffic to continue to flow while allowing for closure during public events.

Council Member Jason Chavez (Ward 9) said in a social media post that the mayor has not considered the trauma the community went through.

“The City Council will continue to honor the life of George Floyd, those who we’ve lost to police brutality, and our community who has been left hanging in the balance after 5 years of Frey’s indifference to the community’s calls for justice and change,” Chavez said on X.

The city is still looking for a community partner to redevelop the Peoples’ Way site, formerly a Speedway gas station that has been a site for community gatherings, memorials and rehearsal space since Floyd’s death.

Four organizations applied for the role including the Minnesota Agape Movement, P3-Foundation (also known as David’s Place), Urban League Twin Cities, and Rise & Remember.

Rise & Remember Executive Director and Community Member Jeanelle Austin said if her organization was selected to redevelop Peoples’ Way, she would use it to create a memorial of Stolen Lives.

“It would be a memorial garden for an upper space where the public would be able to engage and continue to utilize for a space of reflection, healing, gathering, and leverage outdoor community space and green space for the health and wellness of the community,” Austin said.

Austin said she spoke with Black elders and other community members who articulated the importance of a memorial, as the ones in the square are art installations. 

“There are actually laws that protect those installations because there’s a visual artist’s rights act. So artists have the right to be able to not add to something that they created,” Austin said. “It would actually be very helpful for our organization if we had a formal memorial, a place where someone comes to us and say, ‘Hey, can the name of my loved one be added?’”

Rise & Remember’s proposal is the only outdoor garden proposal out of the four organizations, Austin said.

The applicant’s presentations are scheduled for Feb. 26 at the Sabathani Community Center.