The Big 5 Action Plan
Duluth has always been a city defined by resilience, innovation, and opportunity. As our community continues to grow and evolve, the City is taking a focused, action-oriented approach to addressing the issues that matter most to residents, businesses, and visitors.
The result is the Big 5 Action Plan, a coordinated, citywide strategy designed to strengthen Duluth’s economy, improve quality of life, and position our community for long-term success.
City of Duluth’s Five Strategic Priorities
1. Housing At All Income Levels
Expanding opportunities across the housing spectrum by increasing supply, reducing barriers to development, supporting redevelopment and infill projects, and improving development processes.
Key initiatives include:
- Increasing housing inventory across all income levels
- Reducing barriers to development
- Supporting infill and redevelopment projects
- Leveraging city-owned land for housing opportunities
- Streamlining permitting and development processes.
More than 800 housing units have recently been completed, with more than 300 additional units currently in development.
2. Growing The Commercial Tax Base Growth
Strengthening Duluth’s economic foundation by supporting business retention and expansion, preparing sites for future investment, aligning workforce needs, and attracting new economic opportunities.
Key initiatives include:
- Supporting business retention and expansion
- Preparing sites for future development
- Aligning workforce initiatives with employer needs
- Attracting new investment and industry growth
- Leveraging Duluth’s transportation infrastructure, workforce, and natural assets.
Recent investments and industrial expansion continue to demonstrate confidence in Duluth’s economic future.
3. Investing In Streets and Utilities
Addressing aging infrastructure needs through strategic investment in streets, water systems, stormwater management, sidewalks, pedestrian safety, non-motorized transportation routes, and long-term planning.
Key initiatives include:
- Rehabilitating and resurfacing streets
- Replacing aging water infrastructure
- Improving stormwater systems
- Enhancing pedestrian safety
- Prioritizing long-term infrastructure planning.
Through coordinated planning and investment, Duluth is making meaningful progress in addressing its deferred infrastructure needs.
4. Affordable City Property Taxes
Balancing delivery of essential services with affordability through financial alignment, operational efficiencies, responsible budgeting, and strategic use of City staff and fiscal resources.
Key initiatives include:
- Improving transparency around city finances
- Identifying operational efficiencies
- Exploring alternative funding tools for major projects
- Strategically utilizing city-owned assets
- Managing levy increases responsibly.
The goal is to balance community needs with affordability for residents and businesses.
5. Downtown Revitalization
Supporting a stronger and more vibrant downtown through residential development, small business growth, improved public spaces, enhanced safety and accessibility, and partnerships with businesses, property owners, and community organizations.
Key initiatives include:
- Supporting redevelopment and investment
- Increasing activity and foot traffic
- Enhancing public spaces and events
- Improving safety and accessibility
- Advancing long-term planning for downtown assets and infrastructure.
Partnerships with businesses, property owners, and community organizations will continue to drive downtown’s transformation.
A Commitment to Action
The Big 5 Action Plan is more than a set of priorities. It is a commitment to focused leadership, measurable outcomes, and cross-department collaboration. By aligning City resources around these five strategic priorities, Duluth is building a stronger foundation for sustainable growth, economic opportunity, and an exceptional quality of life for current and future generations.