Friday, May 3, 2013
Consulting firm hired by Duluth studies four downtown sites for 100-unit hotel and three sites outside downtown and concludes The Block is the superior site.
An outside consulting firm hired to do a hotel feasibility study presented its report to the Duluth City Council and concluded that the Old City Hall Block, now called “The Block,” would be the best site for a 100-unit select service hotel. Representatives of San Francisco-based PKF Consulting USA attended an April 29 joint Duluth City Council and Downtown Development Authority work session to present the report. Senior Vice President Henry B. Staley Jr. from the consulting firm’s Jacksonville, FL, office delivered the study results. He was accompanied by Vice President Jill L. Bidwell from the Atlanta office. PKF Consulting USA studied four possible locations in downtown Duluth and three sites outside downtown: Site 1 on the east side of …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Duluth City Council, Downtown Development Authority informally agree on ambitious timeline for seeking, selecting developers for retail/entertainment district and residential neighborhood downtown.
With the blessing of the Downtown Development Authority, the City of Duluth plans to proceed with an ambitious timeline for requesting qualifications and selecting developers for a proposed retail and dining district and a high-quality residential neighborhood in two downtown locations. In a joint work session April 29, the Duluth City Council and the DDA informally agreed to authorize city staff to issue a RFQ (request for qualifications) seeking interested developers. Later, the city would issue an RFP (request for proposals) to qualified developers. Duluth Planning Director James Riker explained the two-step process and presented the timeline at the joint work session in the Community Room at Duluth City Hall. The two locations are …
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
DDA may be able to move ahead expeditiously with project to expand Red Clay Theatre and eliminate unsightly depression next to it.
Members of the Duluth City Council and Duluth Downtown Development Authority informally agreed on a design for a Red Clay Theatre expansion at a joint work session in the Community Room at Duluth City Hall Monday (April 29). Based on a design presented by DDA Vice Chairman Rob Ponder, an architect, the city may be able to move ahead with the project expeditiously. Ponder said RFPs (requests for proposals) for constructing the expansion could probably be sought using his design, which was modified during the meeting. The expansion would eliminate an unsightly depression next to the theatre created when the end wall was replaced to stop water from leaking into the basement. “The DDA is ready to go,” Ponder said. “The city needs to fill the …
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
The Duluth City Council has scheduled a special meeting with the Duluth Downtown Development Authority to discuss expanding Red Clay Theatre building.
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 …
Duluth officials continuing to work on proposed working draft of FY2014 city budget.
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Tuesday, April 23
Duluth’s mayor, city council, department directors, and staff are continuing to work on a proposed working draft of the city’s FY2014 budget. Budget dicussions are scheduled Tuesday, April 23, and Thursday, April 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Duluth City Hall. No official action will be taken at these meetings. Citizens are invited to attend and observe the budget discussions. The city held a public review meeting on the proposed budget April 1 at which city department heads answered questions. The dates for official public hearings on the budget and anticipated adoption of the budget will be published on or before May 2. The draft of the budget is available for public inspection at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday …
Monday, April 15, 2013
Mayor Nancy Harris and City Council recognize, express appreciation to Odum.
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, April 15
Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris and the City Council expressed appreciation to local artist Ann Parsons Odum for donating several pieces of her art to the city. Odum’s art is currently displayed in City Hall. Her art preserves the city's history. Some of the pieces depict the New City Hall, Old City Hall, Old Town Duluth, the Train Depot, Old Duluth Water Tower, several Duluth Fall Festivals, the Town Green, and the Old Dutch Mill. She also donated a copy of her recently published book "Duluth Through the Eyes of One of its Own." Odum was recogized at the April 8 city council meeting. Her artwork is also on display in other city buildings.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Duluth City Council awards contract for new roof at Bunten Road Park Activity Building.
The leaky roof at the Bunten Road Park Activity Building is going to be replaced. The Duluth City Council awarded a contract to redo the roof to Lawrenceville-based Peach State Roofing in an amount not to exceed $81,800 at its April 8 meeting. Twelve bids were received and reviewed with city staff recommending Peach State. The work also includes replacing connections to the gutters and flashings. The new roof will be paid for by 2009 SPLOST funds. The council also approved allocation of 2009 SPLOST funds for the following park projects: Parks and Recreation Department Director Kathy Marelle reported that the City of Duluth Park Advisory Board and Park staff had recommended allocation of the SPLOST funds for…
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Citizens encouraged to practice good environmental stewardship during April.
- GOVERNMENT
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Saturday, April 13
Duluth City Council members and others signed pledges to support April as Great American Cleanup Month in the city at the April 8 council meeting. Mayor Nancy Harris proclaimed April 1-30 as Great American Cleanup Month in conjunction with Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful and encouraged citizens to practice good environmental stewardship. During the meeting the city received recognition as a 2012 Platinum Partner from Gov. Nathan Deal and the Clean Air Campaign for improving air quality and reducing traffic congestion. Options exercised by the city to achieve this included flexible work schedules, staggered reporting hours, take-home cars, and a “no idle” policy for vehicles.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Duluth City Council accepts agreement with Gwinnett County Commission returning maintenance of West Lawrenceville Street and McClure Bridge Road to the city.
The Duluth City Council Monday (April 8) accepted an agreement from the Gwinnett County Commission returning maintenance of West Lawrenceville Street and McClure Bridge Road to the city. The commission approved entering into an intergovernmental agreement with the city for the maintenance of the roads to be transfered back at its April 2 meeting. The agreement clears the way for the city’s Roundabout sculpture to be installed. The council postponed a vote on approving a contract with Milton artist/blacksmith Michael Dillon to fabricate and install the sculpture until the city attorney can review a change requested by Dillon. Maintenance of the roadways had been transfered to the county as part of the Service Delivery Strategy settlement. …
Friday, April 5, 2013
Action by Gwinnett Commission returning West Lawrenceville Street and McClure Bridge Road maintenance to city clears way for project to proceed.
The Gwinnett County Commission Tuesday (April 2) approved entering into an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Duluth to return maintenance of West Lawrenceville Street and McClure Bridge Road to the city. The agreement clears the way for the city’s Roundabout sculpture to be installed. Management of the roadways had been transferred to the county as part of the Service Delivery Strategy settlement. County staff had expressed reservations about approving the sculpture location because of possible liability issues so it was necessary for the city to regain control of the two roadways. The Roundabout links West Lawrenceville Street, McClure Bridge Road and Irvindale Road. A Hospital Connector is proposed to be built and connect to …
Tami Collup Scheinman
5:00 pm on Friday, May 3, 2013
I agree with all of Annette Rogers' points. A bed & breakfast would be a much better idea. There are "hotels" near the mall that can service this area just as well. How about courting a restaurant to build on the vacant lot with a patio right on the square? The square is a nice, quite, well-lit place to walk. But it's DEAD. Nothing happening except at Stevarino's. more ›