MINNEAPOLIS — For the first time in more than a year, traffic is flowing through 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis.
The intersection, known as George Floyd Square, became a growing memorial honoring Floyd and others who have lost their lives at the hands of police. City officials confirmed Sunday that the intersection is once again open to traffic.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced a "phased" reopening of the intersection earlier this month with help from community members and Agape Movement, a nonprofit that has provided support and security to the community at the intersection.
According to Steve Floyd, one of the co-founders of Agape Movement, 90% of community members they've surveyed wanted to see the intersection safely reopened.
Mayor Frey was recently criticized by members of the Minneapolis City Council for reportedly approving a contract with Agape worth $359,000. Some members of the city council believe Frey "misused" his emergency powers, while Frey insists the contract with Agape to reopen 38th and Chicago involves work "being managed by our Health Department and many of deliverables are COVID-specific."
