No slowing our ‘city on the move’
April 22, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
While celebrating the Local Initiative Support Corp. during the nonprofit’s annual luncheon last week at Clyde Iron, a national speaker, the president of the McKnight Foundation, said of Duluth: “This is a city on the move.”
Continue Reading
Duluth has myriad boosters around the world – today. Believe me. I know. I’m one of them. Just a short anecdote: I lived through the diaspora of the 1980s when everyone was leaving Duluth for some place else. In my own small way, I tried exhaustively to reverse the decline. I tried to stay. I moved back. It was futile because I was fighting the tide.
But then along came the next crop of graduates some 5-10 years later and the realisation by the city fathers that attitudes and business as usual had to change. And those things have. We are now seeing a renaissance and it’s playing out in so many ways – local bands, parades, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, diversification of the economy and the most conspicuous one – civic pride!
I have seen first hand where many young people have left Finland, for example, went to study in London where they earned an academic qualification, filled their heads with new ideas and took them back to Helsinki to do something fabulous there.
This kind of thing can happen – and probably is happening, in Duluth.
Duluth has so much potential to be a hip, happening and popular place to live, work and create. People possess mobility. Places don’t. Duluth’s unique location, the scenery, topography and all the natural phenomena of a real 4-season, 365 day year provide all the fundamentals to support a vibrant city which is home to creative industries, innovative technologies, artistic endeavour and abundant leisure and recreational activities.
Not everywhere can say that.
But let’s not let it go to our heads. This is only the beginning. Duluth needs to not just grow ideas but grow in critical mass to support the synergies necessary to actualize to its full potential.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
34 
10
You go Blighty. A few are digging in their heels on that ‘ vibrant city which is home to creative industries, innovative technologies, artistic endeavour and abundant leisure and recreational activities.’ But those trying to stop this will be muted soon. I agree, this place is ready to pop.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
29 
12
Ranger (and Blighty): It would be wonderful if you are right but I have heard this same hype for decades and in light of that, I have my reservations. Until we have real, family-supporting, blue-collar middle class jobs (read that as Tax Base) instead of “artists” making ashtrays nobody wants or people prancing around trying to entertain a small group of like-minded patrons, Duluth will never climb out of the doldrums we now are experiencing. The current practice of bringing in low (or no) income people may be very beneficial to the local DFL politicians but that income bracket does not have the DISPOSABLE income to spend at local businesses which in turn will create a synergy within Duluth that will encourage further growth. An upward spiral is possible, yes, but it will take a fundemental and permanent shift in focus by our city leaders.
Like or Dislike:
14 
5
The problem is the three forces that oppose the “pop” from truly happening:
1-Duluth’s special interests: Want to locate downtown? Gotta deal with “historical building” issues. Want to build new? Zoning office, environmental issues, etc etc. Want to pick the lowest cost contractors? Be prepared for pickets. Got a certain part of town in mind? NIMBY’s & CAVErs oh my!
2-Governmental preferences: Duluth/SLC/State of MN still have zero qualms about being the terminus for the Welfare Express buses from Chicago, Gary, Milwaukee, etc. The quest for the almighty federal welfare dollar needs to stop. It gobbles up tax dollars in handout payments, it gobbles up police/fire/EMS services, it clogs Duluth’s ERs and stifles neighborhood renewal.
For ex: Imagine how much money could be had in the city coffers if 4th St., +/- two blocks was more of a Lakeside, Morgan Park type neighborhood. Property tax generation would skyrocket. But no, all good in the hood.
While this could also tie into #1, Duluth has three college/universities in the area and two high-quality community colleges. Yet for every cute “hey these couple students from UMD stayed!”, most leave. Most are pushed out due to reasons 1 and 2, and also my third one below. Sure they come up a few times to visit here/there, but so much money and opportunity is lost because Duluth (and the other listed governments) place more preference on importing people to get federal money than they do keeping young people here for the long, long haul.
3-Duluth’s older population. The older populace in Duluth is highly, highly resistant to change. Change scares the Depends off them. They forget that in a few years, they’ll be gone, and the people they don’t like and don’t want around could be the next people like them, the ones who would be here for 50+ years, not committing crimes, paying taxes, raising families, supporting Duluth, its social scene, and its economy.
But no, it’s easier to just fight against something they don’t understand instead of taking a little time to learn.
If these three things could be fixed, yeah, Duluth could be rocking again. But until then, it’s going to be just another tourist trap, pass-through up the shore, and terminus for the Welfare Express. It’s not too late to fix it, but the clock is definitely winding down.
Hot debate. What do you think?
28 
23
……….and then we need to weed out those who just want to complain……. Duluth can and is attracting people of action, those who reside in the nickle seats are just a fact of life in this country. But we can overcome that negative attitude.
Hot debate. What do you think?
26 
12
Duluth has been ready to “pop” for years. Look at the growth of comparible cities over the last decade. Duluth got left in the dust. Why is the round of “popping” going to be any different for Duluth? You can call me a whiner all you want, it doesn’t change the reality of the situation.
Like or Dislike:
18 
9
It’s wonderful to see a positive article about Duluth….and positive comments following.
It’s about time.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
27 
12
You’re right Katydid! I didn’t know you could be so positive!
Like or Dislike:
15 
14
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
20 
32
see above about whiners…….
Hot debate. What do you think?
21 
14
D, not only is your comment completely insulting and belittling of every sngle young professional in Duluth, it is completely baseless. How offensive can you be? My wife and I are living proof you have no idea what you are talking about. We both grew up here, were educated in the public school systems, recieved our bachelors and masters degrees from UMD and now have great careers with private companies. We are also home owners and are raising our child in our hometown. We are both active in the community and our church. Could we have flighted off to the Twin Cities after college, sure, but we value our life here in Duluth. Our daughter sees her grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles(all of whom are Duluth natives as well who thrive in private businesses) on a very regular basis. To say the least, we value family more than a larger bank account.
Your immature comments about Duluth not being a beautiful city are without merit as well. You must be one who doesn’t go outside much. With all of our public green spaces, playgrounds, parks and trails, denial of Duluth’s beauty is simply asinine.
I realize taking time to respond to all the stupid things online is not a healthy thing to do and adds to the already uncivil nature of this comment section, but this was one of the most outrageous postings I have read. Instead of insulting the future tax-base in Duluth, you may want to applaud those who will continue to grow this great city.
Like or Dislike:
19 
5
The one thing that no one ever seems to mention when it comes to the college kids leaving town is…..
That’s just what kids do.
Kids that grew up in Duluth end up thinking of it as ‘small town’ and they are eager to live life in the big city.
A lot of kids just operate under the ‘the grass is always greener’ theory.
Some just want to get away from family and experience real independence.
So, it’s not always “Duluth has nothing to offer’ the leads kids to go other places.
If you read different articles and the Biz blog, you’ll see a lot of young people that are making progress in Duluth are actually from somwhere else so…Duluth isn’t the only place losing it’s young people.
Hot debate. What do you think?
20 
12
You made a good point…Kids up here go to school in Minneapolis. The kids from Minneapolis come to Duluth. Some stay in the area and some don’t. You need to land a decent job if you graduate with a $100,000 loan. Tough to find those jobs in Duluth.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
22 
2
I don’t like “spin” but Duluth Spock what would it take for you to say something positive in your posts? It’s not that I think there is no merit in what you say but you start out with an absolutely pessimistic verdict on the future. With that outlook, why bother to celebrate any of the good things that are occurring in Dlth? Maurices, AAR, Cirrus, DLH airport, and Kestrel in Superior are good news – full stop. Momentum is growing for more positive developments. Let’s rejoice that any inward investment is occurring in these straightened times. Times are tough all over.
As for your 3 pt argument – yeah, NIMBYs have been a regular feature in Dlth for as long as I remember. I guess when some people get so used to nothing changing for so long, no change is welcome however good it is.
But there is a groundswell of informed people who are actively changing that collective mindset. I read it in the blogs. I see it in the political landscape. I pick up on the student culture at UMD, the vibe of the music scene and observe how 20 and 30-somethings are choosing to spend their free time.
Some of these changes are consciously driven, some are evolutionary and others are organic. The last one is the most interesting because I believe it can only occur when there is a fostering and hospitable environment to cultivate ideas, new expression and visible change.
I’m not saying that everything is coming up roses. I’m just saying that decisive developments and results are there for us all to see (in the article). Let’s try to be optimistic.
>>D>> I live in a very big fish pond and the washouts are here in greater numbers than you’ll ever see in Dlth. The difference is that they blend in better among all the frenzied activity of a giant metropolis – but make no mistake – they are here.
Also, I don’t buy into your idea that the only graduates to stay in Dlth are those who can’t make it elsewhere. Big shots are everywhere.
Like or Dislike:
16 
8
We need more private investment in Duluth. Most of the developments the article lists are paid for or subsidized by government. Quite a few of the projects they list are temporary. Yes, you do see some positive signs in Duluth. But remember, the city and state subsidized Northwest to come here. Northwest shut down operations when they filed for bankruptcy. We are replacing those 400 jobs with 225. I’m not complaining….just being realistic. The same thing is happening with Cirrus. Cirrus is adding 125 jobs to produce the jet. But probably will still be employing fewer people than what they were a few years ago. It’s nice to see a few steps in the right direction. The I-35 mega project, airport terminal and sewage tanks don’t really count as an economic boom. They are only a temporary shot in the arm. Duluth needs to change the business climate before they declare victory.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
24 
3
What year is this? How long was I asleep anyway? I’ve been hearing the same things for 30-40 years about how a magical, wonderful utopia is just around the corner for Duluth.
Hot debate. What do you think?
19 
13
Good thing John pointed out the obvious with Northwest.The sewage tank was a mandated project. How many water breaks are there a year? School district went hog wild on buildings and now are making cuts. That will not draw families here. But some are just interested in the hipster crowd. Don’t forget the 100 non-profits that keep this town functioning, all the groups homes and the 33% working poor. Anyone that attempts a reality check in this town will be derided as a naysayer.
Like or Dislike:
19 
10
Well, Duluth must be doing something right. Not only is it attracting new business and people, it’s managing to hold on to people that don’t even like it.
Like or Dislike:
16 
12
Quote from todays article in the DNT “Unemployment in Duluth remained at a seasonally higher rate of 7 percent in March, even though 324 people found work, according to state data released today.” I thought Duluth was on the move?
Like or Dislike:
8 
6
Seems like Duluth is doing better than a lot of the country then, since the national average for March 2012 is 8.2%.
Like or Dislike:
7 
9
What the numbers for Duluth show is NOT an increase in jobs but rather, people have been unemployed so long that they have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Once a person exhausts their unemployment benefits they are no longer counted as part of the unemployment percentage. They are completely removed from the list. The more people who exhaust their unemployment benefits, the better our unemployment rate will look. Same with the national unemployment rate. Don’t believe me? Ask Mr. Drew Digby to explain the situation honestly.
Like or Dislike:
10 
3
Yup…we are a city on the move. The city and ISD 709 have known for a good 5-6 years that Central would eventually be sold off. And now the sale is tied up in government red tape. The school district could really use the money from this sale. I’m sure it costs the district something to sit on an empty facility. And now you have one branch of government fighting the other. The city has tied up the Red Plan with red tape. Wonderful.
Like or Dislike:
10 
3
Optimist~ The glass is half full.
Pessimist~ The glass is half empty
Realist~ Bartender…another round please.
Duluthian~ (spins on barstool facing away from bar) I don’t see a glass…you see a glass? I don’t!..who took my drink dayumit, I hate this town, can’t trust anybody…..I don’t even have a drink to cry in..Whaaaaaa
Like or Dislike:
7 
8
OMG…that was hilarious….and TRUE.
Like or Dislike:
5 
7
You forgot…..
Futile ~ Used to describe the process of getting environmental approval for a project.
Micromanagement ~ Something the city is actually good at.
Nimby ~ Does to development what an iceberg did to Titanic.
Mirage ~ The picture painted by government to hide the truth.
Excuses ~ A by-product of a school board meeting.
Like or Dislike:
8 
2
Ahem…*tap*tap…excuse me…but you do realize that actual example giving was pointing out how Duluthians just love to complain about everything?
Mmmm…so you sure a laundry list of baseless whining and complaining was appropriate response to that?
Like or Dislike:
0 
2
I call it like I see it. The times have changed….Duluth has not. The article paints a nice picture. Gosh…..we are only a couple of government funded projects away from utopia.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I hope Duluth is on the move. The article sounds like spin from the DFL.
Like or Dislike:
8 
3
Your probably right. If it’s good news, it must be a plot by the DFL cuz lord knows, the GOP certainly doesn’t want any good news getting out.
Like or Dislike:
5 
10
oops… You’re…not your. My bad.
Like or Dislike:
2 
9
Look how the city ties stuff up with red tape. Then you have the nimby people and the environmental activists. Yes, we have a few new developments to be thankful for. Duluth has been hovering at 85-86,000 for 30 years. The culture needs to change before we will see any major growth.
Like or Dislike:
9 
3
I’m sure the GOP will do whatever they can to stop any progress in this city…after all, they don’t like any sort of progress, only the status quo.
Like or Dislike:
2 
5
Status quo? They want to restore a historical (which is also, if I might opine, based in a whole passel of misconceptions) status quo. That’s why they’re identified as reactionaries.
Like or Dislike:
0 
1