Next Alley Work Day Scheduled

Duluth City Councilman Billy Jones has scheduled the next Duluth Matters work day to paint buildings along the downtown alley that runs behind Main Street shops and between Abbotts Bridge Road and West Lawrenceville Street.

“Our next planned workday is July 13. We had originally hoped for June 15, but I want to give some more time to complete paving,” Jones said.

The Duluth Public Works Department recently used a new piece of equipment with a jackhammer attachment to break up the uneven concrete in the alley and cleared away the concrete pieces in preparation for paving the walkway. Prisoner labor was used to haul away the broken pieces of concrete, which will be repurposed on other sites in the city.

The improved walkway will make it easier and safer for citizens and visitors to walk from a parking lot on Abbotts Bridge Road to West Lawrenceville Road and connect to downtown shopping.

About 50 volunteers showed up for the first alley work day May 18.

Jones recently formed Duluth Matters to recruit volunteers to help with various community improvement projects. The first project involved making minor repairs and painting the basement at the Red Clay Theatre. Then Duluth Matters volunteers cleaned up the vacant Cash & Sons lot on Main Street. Now they have undertaken improving the alley.

To volunteer to help, email Jones at bjones@duluthga.net.