Imagine Downtown Seeks Community Feedback

DULUTH, Minn. — Downtown Duluth sought feedback on its plans for revitalization over the next few years. They have been on display at the Holiday Center today for community members to give their input.

How do we improve downtown Duluth?

It’s been a question asked many times and answered hundreds of different ways.

But the organization Downtown Duluth and the consulting firm MIG have been asking that a lot.

Now, they think they have an idea of at least what’s most important for the next 5 years.

but there’s one more thing:

“We really want to hear from the community to say, ‘are we getting it right?’ You know, this is what we’ve started to hear in community sessions, in input sessions and focus groups and interviews and surveys, and now we’re kind of bringing that back and saying these are some of the priorities we’re hearing from you.” said Kristi Stokes, President of Downtown Duluth.

By getting their feedback they can get a better feel for what the community itself needs.

“I’m a certified planner. It’s my trade. We’re frequently criticized for making plans, and then nothing happens. And I think when that, when that scenario does occur… It’s usually when there’s not community participation.” Stated Jay Renkens, Principal at MIG.

This isn’t just for those who are already active in the downtown community,

but to also bring others who might spend more time downtown if it met their needs.

“How do we make it a place for those folks, but also for visitors, for people who want to live downtown? How do we add the amenities that are necessary for them in terms of grocery stores and daycares, places to hang out” stated Renkens.

Today’s open house is only one part of the planning process.

They don’t expect to have finalized plans until late summer/early fall.

“While today is a big deal in terms of getting community input and big opportunity, there’s going to be additional opportunities still, for people to weigh in, for people to review, provide comment, before things are actually kind of finalized and move forward in the implementation.” shared Renkens.

If you didn’t make it to the open house, you can see the plans at DowntownDuluth.Com