[0:00] ♪ [Inspirational music] ♪ [0:02] For decades, 38th Street and [0:04] Chicago Avenue has been a hub [0:06] for neighborhood businesses [0:07] and community life. [0:08] It means a lot to me. [0:09] Born and raised here. [0:10] Five generations of family members [0:12] in this community. [0:13] After the murder of George Floyd, [0:15] this intersection was forever changed. [0:18] In late May 2020, a powerful [0:21] and sustained protest began. [0:23] Neighbors were joined by people [0:25] from across the country [0:26] and around the world, [0:27] reclaiming this space [0:29] as a place to grieve, [0:30] demand justice, [0:31] and imagine something better. [0:33] ♪ [Inspirational music] ♪ [0:34] Over time, [0:35] the intersection became [0:37] a living memorial, shaped [0:38] by street art, [0:39] community care and collective memory. [0:42] The City has worked closely [0:44] with residents, business [0:45] owners and local leaders [0:47] to develop a plan that honors the past [0:50] while preparing for the future [0:51] of George Floyd Square. [0:52] ♪ [Upbeat music] ♪ [0:54] That work included careful research, [0:56] engineering and design, [0:58] balancing how people gather, [1:00] how transportation moves, [1:01] and how the space continues [1:03] to function as a memorial [1:04] with global significance [1:06] and a living part of the city. [1:09] The goal has been clear: [1:10] create a design [1:11] rooted in community vision [1:12] that honors this space [1:13] for generations to come. [1:15] Now the work is moving forward. [1:17] With construction [1:18] expected to start in 2026, [1:20] the next chapter of George Floyd [1:22] Square is coming into focus, [1:24] one grounded in remembrance, [1:26] healing, and shared growth. [1:28] All of us want to leave our families, [1:30] our communities, [1:31] our neighborhood, [1:32] a better place than we found it. [1:34] And that common hope, I [1:35] think, ties us all together. [1:36] ♪ [Inspirational music] ♪