Kmart Lot Still at Top of Spirit Valley Concerns

The lot has been empty since 2018, creating an eyesore, and hole in the community

DULUTH, Minn. – A meeting meant to generate ideas from the public, becomes joint calls to address vacant Kmart lot.

The Spirt Valley Core Investment Plan held its first community meeting at City Center West Tuesday evening. City planners hoped that small group activities amongst residents would generate ideas and feedback, as to what those living in the area would like to see change or stay the same.

The plan aims to bring public and private investors to the area while ensuring that local residents benefit from the investments. But as the meeting drew to a close, and residents shared what suggestions they came up with for Spirit Valley, a common theme appeared again and again.

The empty storefront and lot where Kmart used to be, closed in 2018. Since then, the lot has continuously been the source of complaints from those who live nearby and feel the space could be used for better purposes.

As residents continued to mention their displeasure over the lot at the meeting, City Planner Kyle Deming, interjected with a reminder that the lot is private property.
“Kmart indeed is private property,” Deming said to the crowd, “And so, you know, we all know that the city can’t just come in and take the building down.”

Some attending the meeting expressed displeasure over the answer and suggested the city should invoke “eminent domain,” a process by which the government body can take possession of private property for specific reasons related to the public good.

Deming added that eminent domain is not as simple as most people would like it to be, and certain requirements need to be met.

The Kmart lot is connected to the business plaza off Grand Ave. Previous attempts to repurpose the lot include a failed bid to make it a Uhaul truck center.