en.Wedoany.com Reported - The street reconstruction project at George Perry Floyd Square in Minneapolis has commenced. This project is part of the city's 2026 total capital plan ($323 million), with the first phase of work beginning on June 8 at the southern end of the square.
Located at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, the square was renamed in 2022. The restoration project is estimated to cost $15.1 million, including approximately $9.5 million in construction costs and $5.6 million in planning, outreach, and engineering expenses. The work is being carried out by the city's construction crew.
The first phase primarily involves replacing underground utilities. The complete reconstruction plan includes rebuilding the entire public roadway, constructing new sidewalks, new ADA-compliant ramps, tree-lined boulevards, green stormwater infrastructure, new all-ages and all-abilities bike lanes, traffic calming measures, pavement, curb and gutter replacement, and the addition of pedestrian-scale street lighting.
The plan calls for restoring bus service to the square, but once the full renovation is complete, all vehicle traffic will be prohibited at the site where Floyd was killed. Existing memorials and artworks will be preserved.
Minneapolis Public Works Director Tim Sexton stated when the project was announced that the work will increase green space and lighting, improve the streets, and enhance and maintain the art and memorial areas, particularly the site where George Floyd was killed.
Additionally, the city of Minneapolis has entered its third year of replacing lead water pipes citywide, with some pipes being replaced near the square. Annika Bankston, director of the Water Treatment and Distribution Division of the city's Public Works Department, said that more than 1,800 private lead service lines will be replaced in communities across the city this year, including properties along George Floyd Square.
The city had considered converting the square into a pedestrian mall but ultimately settled on the current plan, known as the "flexible open option." During the planning process, the city sought community input.
Mayor Jacob Frey stated after the city council approved the plan in December 2025 that thousands of voices shaped the plan, and approving the flexible open option means years of work have finally translated into tangible progress.
Other major projects in the capital plan include repaving 20 miles of streets, replacing and repairing structural components of the Nicollet Ave. bridge, built in 1923, and reconstructing the century-old 10th Avenue bridge. Both bridges span the Midtown Greenway, a multi-use path providing a car-free route for pedestrians and cyclists. Kraemer North America is the contractor for both bridges.
Another major project completed by Minneapolis in 2025 was the replacement of 700 streetlights damaged by thieves stealing copper. The new streetlights use aluminum instead of copper.
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