Minneapolis’ former Third Precinct was burned down just four years ago amid the riots that followed the killing of George Floyd by a police officer. It may now be a new site for early voting and other election services.
However, some councillors believe that the citizens of the network deserve to have more control over what is done in a place that has been a source of trauma for many people.
City officials presented councilmembers Monday with a plan that would use the maximum of the building for the election and a smaller portion (about 8,000 square feet) for “community use. “
According to city officials, the lease for the current polling place in E. Hennepin expires in five years and will be more expensive to renew.
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Elections and Election Services Officer Katie Smith said the building, at 3000 Minnehaha Ave. , will be highly available to residents.
“It’s centrally located. It’s located in the transit [corridor] of Lake Street and Midtown,” he said. “It’s walkable, bike-friendly, and motorized vehicles and on-site parking would be ideal for elections and voter services. »
However, Councilmember Jason Chavez, who represents the network where the burned-out former police station is located, said citizens in his network need the network to be used.
“And yet, today we are being asked to approve this draft of the conceptual plan without a prior commitment, without a conciliation procedure or attention to the participation effort that the members of the network have taken on because we, as a city, have not done so. “
The Longfellow Community Council held its own listening sessions, in which most attendees said that 3000 Minnehaha Ave. It should be reserved for “community-determined use. “
Council members say some citizens have come up with other concepts that would acknowledge the history of police brutality or honor the legacy of African Americans in the city.
However, some council members said dedicating most of the former police station to a booth where other people can exercise their right to vote is a “community use. “
Council member Andrea Jenkins represents the community where Floyd murdered then-police officer Derek Chauvin.
“It is our duty that our people in this city have the opportunity to interact in the democracy of this city,” he said. “I don’t even understand why we separate network use from urban use. All of this would be for community use.
Last fall, the city approved a plan to acquire a building to space out the new 3rd District, several blocks from the old site.
The council committee voted to defer any further action on the proposed election venue and voter until the end of the month.