Council To Vote Monday On Mayor Reinert’s 2024 Legislative Bonding Priorities

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Roger Reinert has released his top legislative priorities for 2024, which the city council will vote on Monday night, Jan. 22.  Below is a news release sent out Monday afternoon by Mayor Reinert’s office:

Mayor Roger J. Reinert has proposed the City of Duluth’s top legislative bonding priorities for 2024. The priorities, which are outlined as follows, were proposed to City Council through a resolution that will be voted on during tonight’s City Council meeting:

-Funding for the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant repairs to its roof and other building components, as well as rehabilitation of the granular filtration system used to treat and ensure safe drinking water for the Duluth metro area, including Duluth, Proctor, Hermantown, and Rice Lake;

-Funding for significant structural repairs to the Aerial Lift Bridge’s lift span, sidewalks, and painting of the overhead truss across the ship canal;

– Funding to cover costs to rehabilitate Lot D in Duluth’s Bayfront area to enable new economic development opportunities on the site. Costs will include seawall repairs, demolition of existing infrastructure, utilities, and other related site preparation;

-Funding for the Spirit Valley multi-purpose community center and sports arena in Memorial Park, which will provide wellness, recreation, and workforce programming across all age groups;

-Funding for planning to reconceptualize the downtown library project, envisioning a new library facility incorporating complimentary privately funded development including housing, commercial, and retail space.

“These priorities reflect the community conversation we just had over the past year – utilities, infrastructure, commercial tax base development, and community service assets,” said Mayor Reinert regarding the proposal. “This will be a short, fast, focused session. It’s critical we have a clear and concise agenda for the Governor and our legislative partners.”

In addition to the city’s top bonding priorities above, the city also supports the following projects:

–Funding for the Duluth Airport Authority’s control tower project, replacing a more than 70-year-old tower facility;

–Funding for the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center for accessibility improvements, deferred infrastructure repairs and maintenance, and investments in energy-saving improvements;

–Funding in support of the redevelopment of the Duluth Armory.

Councilors will vote on these proposed legislative priorities in this evening’s City Council meeting, which begins at 7:00 PM in City Hall’s Council Chambers. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person, or they may observe the meeting’s proceedings virtually via PACT-TV’s broadcast, 103.3 FM The North, or here.