Demolition Begins for Shoppers Ramp in Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Today marks a new chapter in downtown Duluth, as the vacant parking lot on West 2nd Avenue is finally getting taken down.

After sitting untouched for many years, this 900-thousand dollar demolition project is going to look a little different from most.

There will be no wrecking ball taking this down. The process itself will need to be more intricate.

“This is unique because we’re an inner city, and we’re attached to new New Gerrick building in the background. Basically we start on the top, and we unwind it like a clock,” said Benjamin Carleton, owner and president of ‘Carleton Companies’.

This is funded by the collaboration of Carleton Companies and the Duluth Economic Development Authority.

Officials are hoping this project, following the recent demolition of the Kozy building, will be a trend for the future of downtown Duluth.

“This is just a really great sign of the progress, respect and value people have for our downtown. We’re seeing some of these blighted properties coming down, that we’re really focusing on the revitalization of our downtown. And we just hope we’ll be seeing more to come,” said Kristi Stokes, president of ‘Organization Downtown Duluth’.

The worst phase of the disruption that this could bring to surrounding streets has already passed.

So far, the process, still very early on, has been mostly smooth sailing. This isn’t Carleton Companies first rodeo with a project like this.

“We took down a ten-story parking ramp for the city of Minneapolis for their new public service building downtown,” said Carleton.

As for what’s yet to come, that information will have to wait.

“We just know that there will be opportunities for redevelopment, they will be saving the pineapple building for redevelopment in that building too. We’re hoping for additional tenants and just more vibrancy along first street.” said Stokes.