Legislative Priorities
The City of Duluth’s top legislative priorities in 2025 include priorities from the 2024 session when the legislature adjourned without passing a bonding bill, leaving Duluth's legislative priorities unfulfilled. These straight-forward, regionally significant priorities remain and reflect our focus on core city services.
City of Duluth 2025 Legislative Priorities
Aerial Lift Bridge Capital Improvements
The Aerial Lift Bridge is an iconic symbol of Duluth that not only serves as a tourist destination, but is pivotal to connecting residents to emergency services, education, healthcare, and so much more. The Aerial Lift Bridge also plays a significant role in Minnesota's economy, providing crucial access to ports across the Great Lakes and throughout the world. To ensure safe, efficient operation, the Aerial Lift Bridge requires significant structural repairs to its lift span, sidewalks, and overhead truss across the shipping canal.
Water Treatment Plant Capital Improvements
Located on the north shore of Lake Superior, the City of Duluth 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.
Lot D Development Funds
Funding to cover costs to rehabilitate Lot D in Duluth’s Bayfront area to enable new economic development opportunities on the site. Costs will include seawall repairs, demolition of existing infrastructure, utilities, and other related site preparation.
Establish Tax Credit for Conversion of Underutilized and Vacant Buildings
Like many other cities, Duluth has seen an increase in the number of vacant or underutilized buildings throughout the city’s core. Establishing a robust tax credit for the conversion of underutilized and vacant buildings will help facilitate the restoration of Duluth’s commercial district to a vibrant residential and mixed-used hub.
Protect Local Government Aid
A key component of Duluth’s budget, local government aid supports critical city functions, from police and fire to roads and sewers. Protecting LGA is imperative to delivering core city services.
Additional Legislative Funding Initiatives
The City of Duluth also supports and partners on many initiatives led by other organizations. The City of Duluth remains committed to being a strong partner to find funding for projects of regional impact and significance. Support during the 2025 Legislative Session includes the following projects:
- The Duluth Airport Authority’s control tower replacement project.
- Minnesota Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wings aircraft shelter project.
- Lake Superior Community Health Center's pre-design and planning for the construction of the Spirit Valley Community Center.
- Duluth Entertainment Convention Center's accessibility improvements, deferred infrastructure repairs and maintenance, and investments in energy saving improvements.
- Union Gospel Mission’s Mission Engagement Center.
- Capital improvement projects at the Great Lakes Aquarium.