[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] ♪ [5:43] ♪ [Inspirational music] ♪ [5:45] For decades, 38th Street and [5:47] Chicago Avenue has been a hub [5:49] for neighborhood businesses [5:50] and community life. [5:51] It means a lot to me. [5:52] Born and raised here. [5:53] Five generations of family members [5:55] in this community. [5:56] After the murder of George Floyd, [5:58] this intersection was forever changed. [6:01] In late May 2020, a powerful [6:04] and sustained protest began. [6:06] Neighbors were joined by people [6:08] from across the country [6:09] and around the world, [6:11] reclaiming this space [6:12] as a place to grieve, [6:13] demand justice, [6:15] and imagine something better. [6:16] ♪ [Inspirational music] ♪ [6:17] Over time, [6:18] the intersection became [6:20] a living memorial, shaped [6:21] by street art, [6:22] community care and collective memory. [6:25] The City has worked closely [6:27] with residents, business [6:29] owners and local leaders [6:30] to develop a plan that honors the past [6:33] while preparing for the future [6:34] of George Floyd Square. [6:35] ♪ [Upbeat music] ♪ [6:37] That work included careful research, [6:39] engineering and design, [6:41] balancing how people gather, [6:42] how transportation moves, [6:44] and how the space continues [6:45] to function as a memorial [6:47] with global significance [6:48] and a living part of the city. [6:51] The goal has been clear: [6:52] create a design [6:53] rooted in community vision [6:55] that honors this space [6:56] for generations to come. [6:58] Now the work is moving forward. [7:00] With construction [7:00] expected to start in 2026, [7:03] the next chapter of George Floyd [7:05] Square is coming into focus, [7:06] one grounded in remembrance, [7:08] healing, and shared growth. [7:10] The council, the mayor, [7:11] the City is kind of [7:12] in lockstep with the community [7:14] on the vision of how to move forward. [7:16] All of us want to leave our families, [7:18] our communities, [7:19] our neighborhood, [7:20] a better place than we found it. [7:22] And that common hope, I [7:23] think, ties us all together. [7:24] ♪ [Inspirational music] ♪