Legislative Priorities
City of Duluth 2026 Legislative Priorities
The City of Duluth’s top legislative priorities in 2026 are straight-forward, regionally significant priorities that reflect Mayor Reinert’s focus on core city services:
Water Treatment Plant Capital Improvements
Located on the north shore of Lake Superior, the City of Duluth’s Lakewood Water Treatment Plant is a regionally significant asset that treats and delivers safe drinking water to the Cities of Duluth, Proctor, Hermantown, and Rice Lake. The structure and roof of the plant require significant repairs. The pump house is over 100 years old, and the plant equipment is original to the main plant building, which was placed in service in 1977. The City of Duluth is requesting $25 Million from state capital bonding to make necessary repairs and improvements to the water treatment system. The system’s replacement value exceeds $1 Billion, making it one of the region’s most critical public health assets.
Lot D Redevelopment Funds
The City of Duluth is requesting $10.85 Million in funding to cover costs to rehabilitate Lot D in Duluth’s Bayfront area to enable new economic development opportunities on the site. Redevelopment work will include seawall repairs, demolition of existing infrastructure, utilities, and other related site preparation. Funding will restore Duluth’s industrial working waterfront area and address the immediate need for sites for destination manufacturing and job creation.