City, County Looking To Take Over Old Kozy Building
Building Has Been Condemned Since 2010
Officials with the city of Duluth told FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Monday they are moving to join forces with St. Louis County to take over the condemned former Kozy building in downtown Duluth.
Keith Hamre, the city’s director of planning and construction services, says the city has waited long enough for building owner Eric Ringsred to figure out a plan that actually works.
“We gave the property owner a lot of time and a lot of improvements to stabilize it and try to find resources. If anything, we didn’t come in and say it’s condemned for demolition,” Hamre explained.
According to Hamre, Ringsred has failed to find financing and housing tax credits after more than five years sitting boarded up since the building went up in flames in November of 2010.
Hamre believes the time is now to partner with the county to bring life back to that part of First Street and Second Avenue East, behind the Fond du Luth Casino.
“That’s arts and theatre activity. That vibrant downtown night life — and First Street can really play a part of that. But not if it’s not welcoming. And right now, that building is not a welcoming site,” Hamre explained.
St. Louis County Administrator Kevin Gray told FOX 21 Ringsred owes roughly $30,000 of unpaid property taxes for the building.
Meanwhile Tuesday morning, the county board members will vote on that resolution to keep the old Kozy building on a tax-forfeited status that will allow the city of Duluth, the Duluth Economic Development Authority and St. Louis County one year to figure out the building’s structural condition and potential future plans from other developers.
Hamre believes the building could be anything from housing, to retail, to a combo of both — or even demolition.
Ringsred on Monday told FOX 21 he’s looking into legal action against the state – specifically the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency – for not receiving the housing tax credits because, according to Ringsred, his plans for the building got one of the highest score reports in the state for tax credit eligibility.
