Neighbors cautiously optimistic about plan for school building
March 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
A Duluth developer wants to convert a former elementary school in Kenwood to market-rate housing for seniors, people with disabilities, students and families. Continue Reading
Sounds like a very nice concept. Hope the developer has the financing lined up to do it first rate. But dirt roads in Kenwood? Duluth had the first paved streets in the state of Minnesota. Should it still have dirt roads?
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The people in this neighborhood are very interested in maintaining the rural charm of the area. Many people have already purchased extra lots to preserve the woods and green spaces here – it is well known to be “country living in the city.” Residents recognize the need for the school district to sell this property, but the density of the proposed housing will undoubtedly change this charming neighborhood, and to describe the feeling of the residents as “cautiously optimistic” is too positive. Many of us feel that this is a necessary evil.
We hope that the developer will heed our concerns about traffic, parking, and potential residents. We also hope that he will improve the external aesthetics of the building. In keeping with his stated interest in preserving the character of the neighborhood, we also hope that Phase 2 of the project will be consistent with the neighborhood’s newer development and will include larger lot sizes rather than cramming 12 additional homes on the property.
And, yes, the dirt road is enjoyed by many – on foot. It slows traffic down, and there are only 3 houses on the entire dirt stretch of road. Neighbors would like to keep it that way.
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“Cautiously optimistic” is just a nice way of saying “Not in my back yard.”
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I think it’s great!
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I’m getting a little worn out by developers talking about converting our schools into multi-use facilities or housing…that’s the fate of Woodland apparently, and now perhaps the fate of Kenwood.
And I don’t know what use I’d prefer to see these places put to, but somehow it just seems like turning schools into shops or apartments is a sign our community is just heading in the wrong direction.
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Well stated!
It seems opportunistic rather than scrupulous.
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What else are you going to do with said buildings? The ISD 709 has shown the residents that less buildings are needed, but larger ones. You have to do something with the buildings. What is amusing at best, is there was an interested buyer in the New Old Central, Lakeview Christian Academy, they were brushed off. What is the plan with that site? A stadium? A casino-hotel? Oh that is rite, the ISD709 is just going to sit on it, and the city will collect zero in possible tax revenue.
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What else are you going to do with said buildings? The ISD 709 has shown the residents that less buildings are needed, but larger ones. You have to do something with the buildings. What is amusing at best, is there was an interested buyer in the New Old Central, Lakeview Christian Academy, they were brushed off. What is the plan with that site? A stadium? A casino-hotel? Oh that is right, the ISD709 is just going to sit on it, and the city will collect zero in possible tax revenue.
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Thank you local person!
I think you have a local person/developer in a depressed market, trying to renovate a part of Kenwood’s history. I too went to this school and also have a lot of memories there. Its a great place to live and with the opportunity for seniors, disabled and others to live in a beautiful community, kudos to him! I don’t have any idea what it would cost to tear down the building but I can’t even imagine. I know a few seniors that would love to live there.
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