Duluth fortunate to be site of intense planning process

Comprehensive planning has been a hit-and-miss proposition in Duluth in recent years. Mostly miss.

So it's good news that the city has been selected as this year's site for an intensive planning effort by a wide range of experts on urban issues and design that will focus on the "Old Downtown" area.

One mile-long section of the downtown -- from Lake Avenue to about 12th Avenue East -- isn't exactly comprehensive in citywide terms, but the area to be studied is already going through a renaissance that will greatly benefit from the expertise provided by this group.

The program is sponsored by the Knight Program in Community Building at the University of Miami School of Architecture and largely financed by the Knight Foundation.

It will involve an intensive weeklong effort called a "charrette," which also is described on today's Northland Forum page by Charles Bohl, director of the Knight Program at Miami University.

The stretch of downtown involved has already seen considerable development, and much more is planned. It includes the completed Technology Village and a new major building connected to St. Luke's Hospital. Under construction is St. Mary/Duluth Clinic's huge addition, and recently announced are plans for a major hotel and condominium project at Third Avenue East and Superior Street. Together, the investments total in the neighborhood of $150 million, not including possible future development of the old National Guard Armory on London Road.

But sandwiched between or near these new major structures is the heart of Old Downtown, with its several 100-plus-year old buildings, including the historic NorShor Theatre and the imposing former Hotel Duluth, which is now called Greysolon Plaza and is a senior citizen apartment building.

The charrette team coming to Duluth will be comprised of Knight Program fellows from around the country with expertise in community development, planning, housing, real estate development, arts management, transportation, architecture and historic preservation.

Duluth is fortunate to secure such expertise in planning a part of the downtown that has needed such an effort for years. A mix of quaint, unique, seedy, decrepit and imposing structures, planning for the area needs to be coordinated to preserve the "old" in Old Downtown while at the same time making it attractive for residents and visitors alike. These experts shouldn't -- and won't -- overlook the area as potential housing. Many of those buildings have imposing views of Lake Superior.

City officials involved in this project emphasize that success of the program will depend on cooperation and participation of Duluthians. They say extensive resident involvement and public input will be sought.

Similar charrettes in cities where they have been conducted in the past few years have led to implementation of plans developed during the intense process. Duluth seeks the same results.

Tom Cotruvo, manager of business development for the city of Duluth and executive director of the Duluth Economic Development Authority, has said, "This is a major opportunity for us." Indeed, it is.