Overview
- City crews began street work at George Floyd Square on Monday, placing barricades and tearing up asphalt on blocks of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue while leaving the memorial footprint and large fist sculptures in place for now.
- The city issued special-assessment notices to 84 properties to help fund the roughly $15 million project with assessed owners facing payment by Nov. 5, 2027 or a 20-year amortization starting in 2028 and limited deferrals for some homesteads.
- Residents and small business owners reported shock at bills that city materials say total about $636,000 for the project area and warned construction and assessments could force closures, rent increases, and displacement.
- City staff say they are working with council members on alternative funding options and a City Council vote on assessment or funding changes could occur this week while phased construction continues through 2027.
- Key operational details remain unresolved, including who will move or safeguard the large fist sculptures and how construction will affect local access, leaving neighbors concerned about long-term economic and social impacts to the Central neighborhood and the nationally significant memorial site.