Our team was thrilled to work in partnership with Inland Development Partners, the City of Duluth, and Damon Farber Landscape Architects to develop initial concepts for the development of Lot D on Duluth’s harbor. Located in the Bayfront District, Lot D is the last undeveloped site on the waterfront and offers opportunity for equitable public experiences including view of the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge and the shipping harbor in one of the most visible and distinctive areas in the City of Duluth.
This does not come without its challenges, and the City of Duluth is seeking bonding funding from the State of Minnesota, alongside a match from the City of Duluth, to assist in the site restoration and development of public water access and dedicated parkland for the extension of the Lakewalk and a public plaza directly on the waterfront. Capital funding will allow for the completion of necessary site stabilization and readiness, including seawall repairs, utilities, and demolition of structures.
The opportunities in the restoration of the site for development include:
- Urgent need to address the erosion of seawall infrastructure and protection of remaining state-funded cleanup infrastructure as well as soil contamination.
- Opportunity of restoring industrial working waterfront area and address immediate need for sites for destination manufacturing and job creation.
- Activate a public gathering space offering access for residents and tourists to the water and views of the lake’s active shipping harbor.
- Gaining critical residential housing units to meet shortage and future demand.
- The U of M is currently conducting a site needs assessment for LLO to identify potential locations for a new Large Lakes Observatory facility, which includes the study of Lot D and existing campus locations.
Redevelopment will occur in phases, with the first phase towards remediation, seawall construction, utility, roadway and park, and other public infrastructure. This will coincide with vertical development planning and design, and begin with a strategic approach that prioritizes investments near the waterfront (dock wall improvements and public spaces) in the southeast quadrant.
Bringing together our expertise in higher education, multi-family housing, and hospitality markets, there is an estimated $250-$300 million in private investment that will include housing across income levels, freshwater research laboratory, food hall, hospitality, and a potential distillery. We are enjoying being a part of and seeing the excitement and support behind the project at the Duluth and St. Louis County Days at the Capitol and since then from regional project supporters such as the Duluth Chamber of Commerce, APEX, DEDA, the University of Minnesota, and more. Great things are happening in Duluth!
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