City, DDA to Consider RCT Expansion

For some time, Duluth city officials have been trying to determine how to best expand the Red Clay Theatre (RCT) and eliminate the unsightly depression that remains after the end wall was replaced to prevent basement flooding.

To resolve the issue and move forward, the Duluth City Council has scheduled a special joint meeting with the Downtown Duluth Development Authority for 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 29. This will be a “fifth Monday” council work session. The council canceled its regular April 22 work session.

DDA Vice Chairman Rob Ponder informed the DDA at its April 16 meeting that Eddie Owen, who is managing and booking acts at the city-owned theatre, has indicated he is only interested in using a proposed second floor expansion for a tavern.

The DDA previously had hired the Duluth architectural firm of Hill Foley Rossi to design a preliminary concept for the expansion that included a basement expansion and a first floor expansion that would be topped with a concrete slab between RCT and Pure Taqueria that could accommodate the future addition of two floors. An elevator and stairs would link the basement to the other floors.

The expansion of the existing first floor would include more pre-function space for the RCT, restrooms, and a bar that would serve beer and wine. It would be ground level on the Main Street side of the theatre.

Since that time, the DDA has discussed going ahead and adding the second floor to accommodate a potential restaurant with rooftop dining on the third floor. The city council recently hired a consultant to develop plans to revitalize downtown Duluth into a dining and entertainment district.

The goal of the expansion, Ponder said, would be the creation of “a multi-use, multi-purpose” space. Adding the third floor floor would increase the cost of the expansion more than $300,000, he said, and an outdoor dining area could only be used about 110 days out of the year.

It was suggested that the third floor could be enclosed with a portion of it set aside for outdoor dining. Having the space already there might attract a potential restaurant or the space could be used for offices.