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Duluth Summer Storm Update, Debris Curbside Pick Up to End August 27

[Duluth, MN] - Since the July 21 storm, City of Duluth crews have helped facilitate storm debris removal from private residences. This process is now reaching its time limit. City crews have collected between 40-45,000 cubic yards of storm debris and have made significant progress cleaning up the most distressed neighborhoods. While this time intensive clean up process was critical to ensure efficiency and safety for all residents, it did divert resources from outstanding parks maintenance and street projects. These other priorities also need to be addressed before the winter season.   

The City of Duluth is reminding residents that curbside storm debris pick up by City crews will officially end August 27, 2016. Residents who have storm debris placed on the curb or the front yard as of August 27 will get their pile(s) picked up. After this date, new debris placed curbside will be the responsibility of the property owner to properly dispose of.

The City recommends that residents who have the ability and means to transport storm debris do so using the Rice Lake Road drop off site across from Boulder Ridge Apartments. This drop off site closes September 3.

The City recommends residents comply with the following requests in order to help crews efficiently remove any remaining storm debris and to ensure the health and safety of neighborhoods:

- Do not put out garbage or yard waste with storm debris. The City continues to see garbage and other yard waste intermixed with storm debris. The City cannot expend resources to sort debris. The City cannot pick up debris piles mixed with non-storm debris.   

- Leave space in front of the debris pile for City trucks to gain access. When cars are parked in front of debris piles, it hinders the work and could result in a missed pickup.

- Remaining storm debris, following August 27, must be removed by property owners from curbs and front yards before the onset of winter.

Parks Update:

Hartley Park and trails are still closed but a contractor has been selected to start debris clean up. That contractor will likely start in early September in Hartley Park and towards Lester Park ski trails. Once that work and timeline is confirmed, a public notice will be sent out. Hartley Nature Center and its adjacent parking lot is open.

The City thanks Duluth residents for their patience. The community demonstrated resiliency and compassion in many ways and we should all be proud of our efforts. We also thank the volunteer groups who traveled and left their jobs and families to help Duluth residents.   

Visit the City’s storm web page at http://duluthmn.gov/2016-summer-storm/

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