Local View: Duluthians, let's reimagine our changing downtown together

How do you imagine Duluth's downtown in the next five years? That is a question we are asking community members as we develop a vision for downtown's future. We are kicking off an initiative called "Imagine Downtown," and we want to hear your voice.

Imagine Downtown is a collaborative initiative of community leaders and stakeholders who care about revitalizing downtown Duluth in the post-pandemic reality.

Like many downtowns, Duluth's is facing the post-pandemic challenges of having businesses that have adopted work-from-home or hybrid work models. There are fewer employees in our downtown out on the sidewalks or in the skywalks, visiting restaurants for lunch, stopping at retail shops, and otherwise activating spaces.

While we realize the work model is forever changed, we also realize there are other ways to activate spaces. Transitioning unused office space to housing, using a "roofs-before-retail" approach, is a proven strategic way to bring more activity to downtown restaurants, events, and businesses, including into the evening hours.

We also recognize that the answer to a vibrant downtown scene is more about alternative ways to attract people and energy for more hours of the day. It is a new way of looking at a downtown. Some are calling for a shift from central business districts to central social districts to reflect a wider range of interests — such as housing, recreation, entertainment, and connectivity.

To help lead us through this visioning process, we are pleased to have received a matching grant from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation through its Knight Fund. This is allowing us to have the nationally recognized consulting firm of MIG provide expertise and steer us toward a vision for our future. Additional financial supporters include the city of Duluth, the city's Duluth Economic Development Authority, St. Louis County, the nonprofit LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), Essentia Health, and the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation.

We are hosting a community open house Monday, Oct. 21, 5-7 p.m., at the DECC Symphony Hall, Mezzanine Level. At that meeting, attendees will have an opportunity to share their thoughts about the downtown and how to play a role in building a strong, bright future. We know many residents are eager to share their ideas as well as help implement them.

The open house will begin with a short presentation and introduction to the Imagine Downtown project. There'll be opportunity to share priorities and visions for the future of downtown Duluth, learn about the purpose of the project-planning process and how to get involved, discuss partnering opportunities to advance projects and a downtown workplan, identify challenges and opportunities, and receive community input on opportunities that can be initiated during the planning process.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can still fill out a survey at downtownduluth.com/get-involved .

It takes a considerable lift and a strong commitment from leaders and stakeholders to foster this initiative through and help develop a plan the community can believe in and in which the community can take great pride. We are pleased steering committee members have stepped forward, and we appreciate their coming work and commitment.

Downtown is the heart of our community; let's all share our love for it!

Kristi Stokes is president of the group Downtown Duluth. She wrote this exclusively for the News Tribune.

WHO'S LEADING THIS?

Community leaders and stakeholders on a steering committee guiding Duluth's new "Imagine Downtown" visioning are:

Shaun Floerke, Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation

Tonya Loken, Essentia Health

Theresa Hannu, Aspirus St. Luke's

Roz Randorf, Duluth City Council

Annie Harala, St. Louis County Board of Commissioners

Laura Krollman, Minnesota Power

Matt Baumgartner, Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce

Rachel Johnson, APEX