The city of Minneapolis will raise $ 4.8 million to temporarily rent a building to replace the police headquarters that was set on fire by robbers in the wake of the police-involved death of George Floyd, officials announced.
A city council committee on Thursday approved $ 3.6 million to rent the building for three years and $ 1.2 million to renovate it. The new location is roughly half a mile from MPD’s Third Precinct, which was set on fire by assailants on May 28, after officers were forced to leave it.
Minneapolis had been in the middle of three days of demonstrations protesting against police brutality and systemic racism following the death of 46-year-old Floyd.
MINNEAPOLIS SURPASSES 2019 TOTAL HOMICIDE TO 2 SEPARATE DEADLY SHOOTINGS
Floyd, a Black man, died after a White police officer held his knee for nearly nine minutes, despite Floyd’s scream that he could not breathe. He was booked in hand at the time.
Officers and staff have worked remotely, and have been in the Minneapolis Convention Center since the original Third Precinct was torched.
City Councilman Cam Gordon said hiring temporary space leaders will give time to figure out what to do with the old headquarters, Minnesota Public Radio News reported.
ATTORNEY CLAIMS OF MINNEAPOLIS COP GEORGE FLOYD OVERDOSES ON FENTANYL, SEED COSTS WOULD REDUCE
“One of the things I think this lease will give us is some space and some breathing space in terms of what we’ll be doing with the Third Precinct building itself, and that’s been a topic of great discussion,” he said. Gordon.
The lease agreement comes as city leaders continue to debate the future of Minneapolis police.
The majority of city council members said in June that they supported the dissolution of the department. But on Aug. 5, a Minneapolis commission said more time would be needed to consider a council change to dismantle the department, report on legal concerns and missing information. The commission’s decision prevented the amendment from being voted on in November.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The full city council is expected to consider the agreement for the building owned by Lothenbach Properties on Aug. 28.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
