Exclusive Look Inside Old Kozy Building; Developers Wanted

In an exclusive report, FOX 21’s Dan Hanger takes you inside the old burned-out Kozy building in downtown Duluth before it’s hammered shut for another winter and shopped around for potential developers.

It’s not a pretty picture inside the former Kozy building and apartments on the corner of East First Street and 2nd Avenue – just ask Mayor Emily Larson.

“It’s not good for our community. This is not lifting up downtown. This is not creating opportunity.” Larson explained.

The insides of the building are melted, covered in suit from past fires, with dead pigeons a common sight.

This does not bring hope and anything positive to the community. It just doesn’t — but it will,” Larson aid.

The city of Duluth has put the property on the market to 200 real estate developers hoping for expert proposals to start turning East First Street around.

“I hope that we’re feeling a sense of optimism,” said Heather Rand, the director of Business and Workforce Development.

“We’re seeing continued real estate development in this area, where the private sector is investing into these older builders,” Rand explained.

According to Rand, research shows the need for housing is particularly high in this part of town.

“We have been hearing more and more so that many people — many of our residents — want to be able to live in a place where they can walk to work. So in our minds, this is a prime location,” Rand said.

Meanwhile, as city staff prepares to board up and even fence part of the property for the sixth winter in a row, the optimism for change is now — at least for Mayor Larson.

“This is not the right opportunity for everybody. We know that. We also know it’s the perfect opportunity for a very strong number of developers who have already reached out, who have already called who are making visits here,” Larson said.

“This is the time to get into this neighborhood and it’s really going to be exciting to see what vision comes forward,” Larson went on to say.

Proposals from potential developers are due the first week of January.
The pile will then be dwindled down to the best.
The city wants a developer chosen in time to break ground in 2017.
In an exclusive report, FOX 21’s Dan Hanger takes you inside the old burned-out Kozy building in downtown Duluth before it’s hammered shut for another winter and shopped around for potential developers

It’s not a pretty picture inside the former Kozy building and apartments on the corner of East First Street and 2nd Avenue – just ask Mayor Emily Larson.

“It’s not good for our community. This is not lifting up downtown. This is not creating opportunity.” Larson explained.

The insides of the building are melted, covered in suit from past fires, with dead pigeons a common sight.

This does not bring hope and anything positive to the community. It just doesn’t — but it will,” Larson aid.

The city of Duluth has put the property on the market to 200 real estate developers hoping for expert proposals to start turning East First Street around.

“I hope that we’re feeling a sense of optimism,” said Heather Rand, the director of Business and Workforce Development.

“We’re seeing continued real estate development in this area, where the private sector is investing into these older builders,” Rand explained.

According to Rand, research shows the need for housing is particularly high in this part of town.

“We have been hearing more and more so that many people — many of our residents — want to be able to live in a place where they can walk to work. So in our minds, this is a prime location,” Rand said.

Meanwhile, as city staff prepares to board up and even fence part of the property for the sixth winter in a row, the optimism for change is now — at least for Mayor Larson.

“This is not the right opportunity for everybody. We know that. We also know it’s the perfect opportunity for a very strong number of developers who have already reached out, who have already called who are making visits here,” Larson said.

“This is the time to get into this neighborhood and it’s really going to be exciting to see what vision comes forward,” Larson went on to say.

Proposals from potential developers are due the first week of January.
The pile will then be dwindled down to the best.
The city wants a developer chosen in time to break ground in 2017.