Study Looks at How to Improve Quality of Life

Health Impact Assessment for Lower Lincoln Park

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The conditions of where we work and play can have a huge impact on our health.

In hopes of improving the quality of life in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, the City of Duluth used grant money to complete a study looking at how health conditions from transportation to food, can impact one’s quality of life.

According to a St. Louis County study Lincoln Park has the lowest life expectancy in the county.

A health impact assessment is being done on a small portion of Lower Lincoln Park combining scientific data, health expertise and public input to better understand where improvements need to be made.

“It will give us a good framework to work off of when we’re thinking about zoning changes. When we’re looking at economic development approvals to make sure businesses are able to come in and make sure they are the right developments for that neighborhood,” said Duluth City Councilor at Large Zack Filipovich.

Community health priorities include safety, transportation, access to healthy food, and employment.

Owners of Twin Ports Cyclery, in Lincoln Park, said they see plenty of changes that could be made to have a long-term impact on the neighborhood.

“There are either empty buildings or too many bars and there could be cute little cafes, specialty’s not just knick-knack stores to draw the night crowd,” said Owner of Twin Ports Cyclery Lee  Emanoff.

“Make things more pedestrian friendly, especially kids going across to the park and stuff like that, it’s very important,” said Owner of Twin Ports Cyclery Denis Sauve.

Within the study there are recommendations for the city to adopt for transportation, economics and housing.

The city is still in the process of completing the study.

Duluth City Councilor Zack Filipovich said to expect a more complete assessment this fall.