Duluth Authority Approves Contract for Red Clay Expansion Architect

Based on an upwardly revised $1.5-$2 million estimate for the cost of constructing the addition to Red Clay, the Duluth Downtown Development Authority approved a contract with a firm to provide architectural design and engineering services Tuesday (July 16).

The DDA has budgeted $96,000 for the standard 8 percent fee of the construction cost, which will not cover it, so it agreed to approach the city for additional funds. The matter was expected to be placed on the Duluth City Council’s July 22 work session agenda.

The DDA had already voted to hire the firm of Gardner, Spencer, Smith. Tench & Jarbeau to provide architectural design and engineering services for the Red Clay expansion at its June 18 meeting. At that time the cost of the addition was roughly estimated at $1 million, so the standard fee would have amounted to about $80,000.

Duluth Economic Development Manager Chris McGahee estimated the figure would go up to about $130,000, including other fees that would be required for the project.

"This is a very complicated site...very tight, said McGahee. "There are going to be unknowns...surprises."

The proposed project includes expanding the existing basement and first-floor pre-function area, adding restrooms, and constructing a second floor outdoor rooftop tavern.

The DDA also approved paying Gardner, Spencer, Smith, Tench & Jarbeau an additional $3,000 to redo the design for a music school in the Red Clay basement that would be operated by Eddie Owen. Owen also manages and books acts for the 257-seat city-owned downtown facility.

When architect Les Spencer recently toured the Red Clay, he suggested a different layout for the music school that would work better, Owen said. Owen has already paid another architect to draw up plans with his own money. 

The cost to build out the basement for the school had been estimated at $34,000. The Duluth Fall Festival has donated $25,000 to the DDA for Owen to use to redo the basement to accommodate the school. Owen said he is providing the remainder of the funds needed.