Planning & Development

Project Status:

• City Planning staff are continuing to analyze data (some of which are posted in the link below) and assembling a committee to assist in the planning effort.
• View an overview of the planning process, Spirit Valley history, and demographic data here.
• Please take the Survey below to share your thoughts about Spirit Valley.
• Provide your name and email address in the Comment Box below to be added to our email list for notification about upcoming sessions.

Project Overview:

Spirit Valley’s rich history, active community, and existing economic infrastructure provides a solid foundation for a comprehensive visioning and planning process.  This initiative aims to guide public and private investment in the district with a goal of fostering a vibrant and thriving neighborhood center.  Below is a project timeline and map of the study area.

Study Area:

The focus of the plan is Spirit Valley's Core Commercial Area, defined by the triangular junction of Grand Ave, Central Ave, and I-35 (highlighted in green on the map). The surrounding neighborhoods and residential streets constitute the overall Study Area (highlighted in blue on the map).

Study Area Map

Project Timeline:

City Planning staff will lead an effort to gather input from community members, work with the plan committee and public to evaluation options, formulate recommended actions into a plan, seek approval of the plan by the public and decision makers, and empower stakeholders to implement the plan.

Spirit Valley Days:

We enjoyed connecting with so many people at the Spirit Valley Days car show and vendor fair Aug. 2 and 3.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts and taking the survey (below).

We hope people enjoyed the West Duluth trivia game and “then-and-now” photos at our booth.

Spirit Valley Strolls:

On October 2 and 3 Planning staff conducted walking tours (Spirit Valley Strolls) of the business district where we heard from 30 residents and businesses about their impressions of the physical conditions in the business district.  Thanks for all of your great observations and ideas.

If you weren't able to attend one of the Planner led strolls, you can do a stroll at your convenience and send us your observations using this form.  Snap a photo of the completed handout and email it to kdeming@duluthmn.gov or drop it off at 160 City Hall (Planning Department office).

Community Meeting #1:

Thank you to all who attended our first community meeting December 3rd at City Center West.  There were good discussions around the tables culminating with each table reporting their top 5 responses to the question "What would make Spirit Valley a more vibrant neighborhood center?"  After each participant placed their 6 dots on the top ideas some trends emerged.  Addressing the Kmart site and improving pedestrian and bike facilities ranked high, followed by identifying housing sites to support the business district, improving parks and youth programing, and enhancing the community's cultural traditions.

There will be another Community Meeting in the spring to consider alternatives that bring about a more vibrant neighborhood center in Spirit Valley.  Send us your name and email address in the Comment Box below if you want to be added to the email list for notification of upcoming meetings.