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Spirit Valley plan preview: residents want more businesses, walkability and housing; Kmart site singled out for regridding
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Summary
City planners previewed a Spirit Valley core investment plan built from months of public outreach. The plan recommends reintroducing a street grid at the Kmart site, improving pedestrian infrastructure and making room for roughly 700 housing units depending on redevelopment pace.
A city planning presentation on the Spirit Valley core investment area previewed recommendations intended to revive the West Duluth business district by focusing on walkability, local storefronts and new housing opportunities.
"The top 3 priorities in their minds are bringing more businesses to Spirit Valley, making it a more walkable and pleasant environment and more housing," Mr. Deming said as he presented survey results and engagement metrics gathered over an 18‑month study process.
Deming said the plan committee engaged hundreds of residents through public booths, walking meetings and surveys: about 272 survey responses were recorded for the Spirit Valley study, with 63% of respondents from Spirit Valley. Planners identified 17 commercial vacancies in the study area and described three conceptual approaches for the district; they recommended pursuing the neighborhood‑commercial model rather than a freeway/convenience orientation.
A focal recommendation calls for the Kmart site to be “regridded” — restoring a pedestrian-friendly street pattern, short blocks, small green spaces and active ground-floor commercial frontages. Deming showed conceptual graphics that place residential frontages behind active commercial edges, add small plazas and create walkways that would connect Grand and Central avenues and the Cross-City Trail.
The plan also identifies potential capacity for about 700 housing units across redevelopment sites if landowners and market conditions align. Deming flagged opportunities to coordinate recommendations with upcoming infrastructure projects, including a long-range reconstruction of I‑35 and an expected transportation commission review.
Deming said the planning team will return with final recommendations for council review in May and that implementation tools — zoning changes, economic development incentives and possible special service-district management — would follow planning-commission review and council action.
Councilors asked about developer interest and timing; Deming said the study is at concept stage and no developers are committed. He also noted existing partnerships the planning team has engaged (West Duluth Business Club and other local organizations).
The preview did not trigger an immediate vote; planners will bring recommended language and implementation steps back to the council after planning-commission review.
