R.I.P. West Duluth Fire and Police Station / Twin Ports Amusement Building
The building at 531 Central Avenue in West Duluth was torn down on July 28, 2014. In its early years it served as the West Duluth Fire and Police Station, West Duluth Village Hall, Duluth Fire Department Engine House #8 and Duluth Police Department Station #3, among other things.
For it’s final three decades, the building was known as the home of Twin Ports Amusement, operated by the Kervina family until operations ceased a few year ago. (The business was also known as Twin Ports Vending & Amusement and Twin Ports Arrowhead Amusement). The most recent occupant of the building was Jody’s Auto Werkz, which was in the back of the building.
Prior to the Twin Ports Amusement era, the building served as Puglisi Toyota, an auto sales and service business run by Jack Puglisi in the early 1970s. Prior to that it was Crown Motors, operated by Leonard Caskey.
Anybody know why the property is being torn down?
It had been for sale for a long time. I’m speculating, but the building probably fell into disrepair to the point where an open lot will be easier to sell.
This hurts a little to watch. Music by Anthony Bennett.
They stopped ripping away at this part of the building and I had to leave, so I never found out if anything was done to preserve that Fire and Police Station block.
Here is a photo of today’s clearing of the rubble.
Looks like they salvaged some very cool safes from the building. The one had pretty deep ‘teeth marks’ from the demo gear. I’m sure any old criminal evidence or police materials are long gone.