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Imagine Duluth 2035 Team to hold Community Sessions in the Five City Council Districts

[Duluth, MN] – Imagine Duluth is embarking on its next set of community outreach meetings during the month of November to each of the five City Council districts, in partnership with Duluth City Councilors, to hear from residents about where they envision housing development and the types of housing; where neighborhood residents shop, work, or get services; and what options people have for recreation within their neighborhoods.   

“Duluth is lucky to have engaged and caring citizens who understand that the future health and well-being of the city depends on their input and participation. The Imagine Duluth 2035 planning process will span an entire year but its final product will create a foundation for prosperity for every resident. I invite all residents to come meet with our Community Planning staff, share your ideas, concerns and stay engaged,” said Mayor Emily Larson. 

This first session will be in District 3 at the Central Hillside Center on November 10th with City Councilor Em Westerlund. Residents, business owners, people who work in the district, and anyone interested in lending a voice to how District 3 can grow and change over the next 20 years is welcome to attend.

“As a City Councilor, I am an advocate and a voice for residents in my district. The Imagine Duluth planning process is enabling all residents to use the power of their voices and ideas. People care about this community and I would encourage all residents to take that passion and participate in these social engagement sessions. We all have an opportunity to determine what happens in our neighborhoods now and 20 years from now,” said Councilor Em Westerlund. 

A simultaneous session will be held at the Duluth Heights Community Center on November 10 with Councilor Howie Hanson. “Duluth residents are resilient, we take care of each other and we want our city to be the best community to live in. I commend our City staff for being creative and wanting to reach out to every resident during this planning process. Residents can help them create an inclusive and well-rounded vision by coming out to participate,” said Councilor Hanson.  

City staff will provide a quick overview of the Imagine Duluth planning process and some details on community feedback since the start of the planning process. In addition to maps showing population and housing density, land use projections and new transportation ideas, Staff will lead the group through a process of exploring emerging issues (like where to provide space for new jobs in the City) and shaping solutions for the future.

There will be two activities for each of these sessions: 1) an exercise where the large group will break into 2-3 groups and then try to find sites for 600 new housing units within their council districts, and 2) an 8.5x11 map of the city asking each attendee to site a new business with 1,000 employees somewhere in the city, and then discuss where/why. 

 The planned sessions are as follows:

Residents are encouraged to come and be part of the Imagine Duluth 2035 Comprehensive Plan to craft the future of our City. Additional information is available at www.imagineduluth.com

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