News and Current Affairs
Historic Duluth hotel reborn for modern downtown living
Zenith City Revival LLC owner Mitchell Holmes, left, and designer Kori Kneeland stand in the kitchen of a condominium model at Building No. 12 in downtown Duluth. Zenith City Revival LLC spent more than two years renovating the historic hotel property and is now marketing space inside the building.
Developers have completed major renovation work on a 19th Century Duluth hotel and will market the condominium space to buyers interested in modern downtown living.
Zenith City Revival LLC announced last week a model condominium and more than two floors of unfinished residential space is now open for showing in the rechristened Building No. 12. The historic four-story property at 12 N. Lake Ave. was constructed in 1890 and most recently known as the Gardner Hotel. (more…)
A Duluth to be Proud Of
“I remember the young people on the trip who said, ‘How come we’re not learning this in school? How come we didn’t know that this had happened?’ …it’s an American story.” –Carl Crawford – Human Rights Officer, Duluth to Montgomery Reflections.
We Duluthians are a proud people. We’re proud of our cityscape and the landscape around us. We’re proud of our ability to withstand the cold, even as we complain about it. We’re proud of our ability to move forward, as Mayor Emily Larson expressed in her open letter to the Rolling Stones this past summer. We Duluthians pride ourselves in the fact that we don’t hide from issues but rather actively engage with them. It was this Duluth pride that prompted a new, local podcast from the NAACP. (more…)
Report scores Minnesota’s progress in sustainability
Minnesota’s state agencies are making progress toward sustainability goals according to a report by the Department of Administration’s Office of Enterprise Sustainability.
The Enterprise Sustainability 2017 Annual Report is the first collection of data that documents progress on cutting costs and increasing efficiency through sustainable practices.
The report can be viewed online at mn.gov.
Selective Focus: Canal Park, Brighton Beach and Park Point flooded
Standing water in the Canal Park business district. Debris and open manholes beneath the water. Waves pushing debris and rocks onto the Lakewalk. (more…)
Hall-pass crackdown at Denfeld riles some students, parents
New measures at Denfeld High School designed to limit the time students spend outside class prompted some angry social media posts last week suggesting it restricted students from accessing restrooms.
“No more permission to pee,” read a graphic accompanying some of the posts on Facebook.
Denfeld Principal Tonya Sconiers was not available for comment this week, but said via email the school does not have a new lavatory policy. (more…)
Hostel du Nord opens Oct. 25
Duluth’s first modern hostel opens Oct. 25. Hostel du Nord, located in the former Garon Bros. Jewelers building at 217 W. First St., will offer an alternative to traditional lodging options. (more…)
Twin Ports Interchange Reconstruction EAW
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the Twin Ports Interchange Reconstruction project and is seeking public input. The project proposes reconstructing the I-35/I-535/US 53 interchange, US 53 between I-35 and West Third Street, and I-535/Garfield Avenue interchange located in Duluth. (more…)
People mag chooses Duluth Grill as Minnesota’s top breakfast
Duluth Grill is highlighted in the October 2018 issue of People magazine as part of a feature on Top Breakfast Restaurants in each state. The grill’s recipe for Smoked Salmon Hash Skillet, featuring salmon smoked at OMC, the Duluth Grill’s sister restaurant, is spotlighted.
PDD Quiz: September 2018 in Review
As we gleefully (or reluctantly) dive into autumn, let’s look back at the events that made headlines in September 2018.
The next quiz, on spooky Duluth, will be published on Oct. 14. Please email question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Oct. 11. (more…)
Wasabi Japanese Cuisine to open in Duluth’s Old City Hall
The main floor of Duluth’s Old City Hall will soon be transformed into a sushi restaurant. The owners of Superior’s Wasabi Japanese Cuisine signed a lease on Monday for the space. They anticipate opening this second eatery by the same name in November or December.
The building at 132 E. Superior St. is owned by Rod Raymond of the Just Take Action restaurant group. Since 2011, the main level space has housed three restaurants: Tycoons Alehouse, the Blind Pig, and more recently Sound.
Dennis Kempton, who handles media relations for Just Take Action, says the new Wasabi Japanese Cuisine location will be modeled after its sister restaurant in Superior, which opened in March in the former O’Neill’s Pub & Liquor building at 3333 Tower Ave. (more…)
St. Louis County Board approves $136.7 million property tax levy
The St. Louis County Board has unanimously approved its proposed property tax levy at $136.7 million for 2019, an amount that should result in a minor tax decrease for most property owners, due to an increase in the county’s property tax base. (more…)
WLSSD flipped its switch 40 years ago
It was 40 years ago today — Sept. 25, 1978 — when the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District began operating its sewage treatment plant in Duluth.
“The network of pipes and pumps and tanks and treatment pools and chemistry all contributed as designed to clean harmful bacteria and other pollution out of the sewage — from not just Duluth homes, but also homes from surrounding areas and industry as far away as Cloquet,” writes Duluth News Tribune reporter John Myers.
Duluth News Tribune: “WLSSD marks 40 years of cleaner St. Louis River”
Found: “Scandinavian-style boat”
At 8:20 a.m. police responded to the 1900 block of Minnesota Avenue to a report of a Scandinavian-style boat that washed ashore.
Update: The owner of the boat contacted police a few hours later. The boat did not wash ashore; it was purposely beached by the owner after sailing.
Bent Paddle nabs Great American Beer Festival gold again
Bent Paddle Brewing won its second Great American Beer Festival gold medal this weekend in Denver, Colo. The Duluth brewery’s saison took the top honor in the Classic Saison category. (more…)
Dovetail Cafe to open in October
Duluth Folk School Director & Co-Founder Bryan French outside Dovetail Cafe – Photo by Lissa Maki
If all goes as planned, Dovetail Cafe and Marketplace will open in the second week of October. The unique eatery, housed within the Duluth Folk School at 1917 W. Superior St., will serve up meals made from scratch, products from local vendors and a side of education for those inclined to learn. (more…)
Hannah Johnson Fabrics working toward expansion
Janet Anelli, owner of Hannah Johnson Fabrics, preparing cut fabric.
A fabric store in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood is expanding into space where baked goods were the longtime order of the day. (more…)
UMD faculty union and senate denounce outgoing U of M president’s compensation package
In a letter to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, leaders of two faculty organizations on the Duluth campus call the compensation package of the outgoing system president “excessive” and a “golden parachute.”
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler announced in July his intention to step down from his position in 2019, saying in a statement that his seven years as president exceeds the national average and the university will benefit from a fresh perspective.
“Quite simply, it is time,” he said, noting he intends to work as president emeritus for one year to continue momentum on the university’s $4 billion “Driven” campaign. The fundraising effort is seeking to raise $1 billion for students, $2 billion for faculty and research, and $1 billion for university initiatives and outreach. (more…)
West Theater renovation adds second theater property
Duluth Reader publisher and West Theater owner Robert Boone has purchased 321 N. Central Ave., next to his West Theater renovation project. The building, constructed in 1913, is the former Alhambra Theater and most recently housed Interior Tomato, a hydroponic gardening store.
An alternative weekly newspaper publisher currently renovating a West Duluth movie theater has purchased a second historic but mostly forgotten theater adjacent to his current project. (more…)
Ursa Minor Brewing opening Sept. 26
Ben Hugus, Mark Hugus and Andrew Scrignoli – Photo by Lissa Maki
Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District will gain a third brewery by the month’s end. Ursa Minor Brewing, a five-barrel brewery that will also serve wood-fired pizzas, has announced it’s opening Sept. 26. (more…)
Crashing into 2332 W. Third St.
Left: 2018 crash at 2332 W. Third St. (Duluth News Tribune photo by Steve Kuchera)
Right: 1965 crash at same location. (Duluth News Tribune staff photo)
It happens at least once every 53 years or so. A motor vehicle smashes into the storefront on the corner of 24th Avenue West and Third Street.
Sept. 11, 2018 | Bus crashes into runaway SUV in Lincoln Park
Aug. 12, 1965 | Freak crash sends auto inside store
BusinessNorth owners purchase Lake Superior Magazine
Left to right above: New Lake Superior Magazine owners Beth Bily and Ron Brochu, former owners Cindy Hayden and Paul Hayden
Two longtime, Duluth-based media organizations with a combined 66 years in existence are now under the same ownership following the Aug. 31 sale of Lake Superior Magazine and its associated books and merchandising operations to the publishers of BusinessNorth and Scenic Range News Forum. The entities announced the sale in a news release today. (more…)
Congdon Pumphouse highlights historic home tour
A 19th Century Duluth pump house was converted into living space by Elisabeth Congdon in 1937. The property will be open during the Duluth Preservation Alliance Historic Property Tour Sept. 16.
Duluth has dozens of spectacular waterfront properties with amazing Lake Superior views but only one home has a front porch featuring metal wave deflectors and living room windows equipped with hurricane shutters. (more…)
Thirsty Pagan Brewing moving to Soo Line Depot
The Superior Telegram reports Thirsty Pagan Brewing will move to the Soo Line Depot at 1615 Winter St. in January.
“The move marks a step into the brick-and-mortar phase — owning a building instead of leasing,” the story notes. “The depot also offers more private seating options for meetings, events and parties, although the total number of seats will remain roughly the same. … Groups already meet regularly at Thirsty Pagan, but the current configuration isn’t ideal for privacy. At about 7,500 square feet, the depot will provide more space to spread into.”
Funding agreement in place for St. Louis River cleanup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Steel Corp. announced an agreement yesterday to undertake a $75 million cleanup and restoration project at the former Duluth Works site on the St. Louis River at Spirit Lake in Duluth. This is part of a larger effort to restore the St. Louis River Area of Concern through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. (more…)
Craft cider coming soon to Duluth
Duluth will soon have its first, and second, hard cideries. Duluth Cider is planning for a mid-to-late September opening date, while Wild State Cider expects to open before the year’s end. (more…)