George Floyd Square Redesign to Begin This Summer

Community engagement process leads to infrastructure updates at memorial site.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:03pm

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An abstract, hazy photograph of a peaceful urban street scene, with soft, warm colors and blurred, out-of-focus details conveying a sense of community and contemplation.The redesign of George Floyd Square aims to balance the memorial's community significance with necessary infrastructure updates.Chicago Today

After years of planning and community input, the city of Chicago has announced that street and infrastructure work around the 38th and Chicago intersection, known as George Floyd Square, will begin in June 2026.

Why it matters

George Floyd Square has become a symbolic memorial site since the 2020 police killing of George Floyd, with the intersection remaining closed to traffic and transformed into a community gathering space. The upcoming redesign aims to balance the needs of the memorial with necessary infrastructure updates.

The details

The redesign project will include updates to streets, sidewalks, lighting, and other elements around the intersection where a makeshift memorial to George Floyd has stood since his death. City officials say the work will be done in close coordination with the local community to preserve the spirit of the square.

  • The redesign work is scheduled to begin in June 2026.

The players

City of Chicago

The local government overseeing the redesign project for George Floyd Square.

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What’s next

Community members will continue to be engaged throughout the redesign process to provide input on the final plans.

The takeaway

The upcoming changes to George Floyd Square aim to honor the legacy of the space while also updating critical infrastructure, demonstrating the city's commitment to balancing memorialization with practical needs.