As the city of Minneapolis reopens its search for a partner to redevelop the People’s Way at George Floyd Square, the community organization that earned the strongest support in a city survey says new eligibility rules are written to exclude it.
The city released a new request for qualifications and proposals Sept. 21, with applications due Oct. 19. It requires the lead applicant to have commercial real estate development experience and to become the property’s owner, though it can partner with other organizations. According to the RFQ, the requirement follows feedback from some council members who, after rejecting the city’s previous recommendation, asked for a proposer with established development experience and the capacity to finish the project quickly.
Jeanelle Austin, executive director of Rise and Remember, called the requirement discriminatory toward her organization…