Final Progress Advisory Panel Report - Knight Program in ...

creating a tool that could be used by city planning staff and others
to evaluate development proposals using the charrette principles.
The importance of strong local leadership in Duluth, including
the top city official and the Charrette Stewardship Group from the
early stages of planning through post-charrette implementation,
was highlighted in a previous evaluation of the five Knight Program
in Community Building community charrettes. Securing and
building local charrette capacity early in the process are essential
and represent an investment that will pay dividends when postcharrette
implementation begins. Duluth demonstrated that such a
group should include potential charrette implementers (the heads
that need to nod for something to happen) and custodians who
keep implementation on course and up front in the public’s mind.
Illustrated above, the strong relationship between buildings and
the street is reflected in the residential neighborhoods.
Continuing that same strong leadership, a number of key partners
have helped create a positive momentum toward implementing
the Charrette recommendations and other important programs. A
number of those partners and some of the accomplishments of
their organizations are highlighted in the list on page 18.
Arts and Economic Development
Duluth is well on its way to having the concentration of arts and
cultural facilities and activities required for a dynamic creative
corridor that will serve as a major draw and help drive the city’s
economy. Some key observations regarding the city’s commitment
include:
The Zeitgeist Arts Center complex (image above) demonstrates
the powerful role that the arts can play in revitalization and
activating the street. The classic revival style of the historic
Greysolon Plaza (image below) is itself a form of public art that
contributes to the street level experience.
• Progress in support of a growing creative culture. The Zeitgeist
Arts Center complex is up and running and has a very positive
influence on the blocks nearby. In addition, the purchase
of the NorShor Theatre was bold and sent a strong signal that
civic leaders are committed to continued cultural development
downtown.
• New energy created by the Amsoil Arena at the Duluth Entertainment
Convention Center (DECC) and the ability of the
Fitger’s Brewery Complex to maintain its strength despite the
economy.
• The creation and funding of several arts organizations for arts-related prosperity initiatives seem to have
increased. That is coupled with a broadening recognition of the important role that arts can play in stimulating
economic investments and attracting new residents and visitors.
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