Problematic Downtown Duluth Parking Ramp Secured With Fencing

DULUTH, Minn. — A problematic downtown Duluth parking ramp has been secured with new fencing to help curb unwanted behavior — and more improvements are on the way.

The fencing at the HART District Ramp on East Superior Street now covers all open areas, except where vehicles enter and leave.

In May, the city council approved $165,000 to install an access-control system at the ramp.

Fencing is just one piece of the system. The city owned facility is approved to get roll-up exterior doors and locks.

This comes after a rise in police calls at the ramp, like overdoses, damage to property and people using the stairwells as bathrooms, according to the city.

Officials say the goal is to increase security for guests at the ramp and improve cleanliness. The fencing could also help deal with the large pigeon population inside the ramp and the waste the birds leave behind.