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A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION CONSIDER A PROPOSAL TO ADVANCE SAFE, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE STREET DESIGN IN DOWNTOWN DULUTH FOR THE PURPOSE OF GATHERING INFORMATION, COLLECTING PUBLIC INPUT, AND BRINGING FORTH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CONVERSION OF FIRST STREET TO A FLOW STREET.
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BY COUNCILORS AWAL, RANDORF AND DELUCA:
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth has long recognized the importance of developing a safe, accessible, and multimodal transportation system that reflects the needs of all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and those using mobility assistance devices; and
WHEREAS, the flow street concept - defined by a reduced speed limit to allow safe and shared use of streets by both motorized and non-motorized users - offers a cost-effective, quickly implementable strategy for supporting safe mobility and public access in urban areas; and
WHEREAS, Duluth's overall bike score is 9/100, ranking Duluth number 62 in Minnesota and number 2285 out of 2579 cities in the U.S. (11th percentile), and Duluth's walk score is 36/100; and
WHEREAS, the section of First Street in Duluth between 26th Avenue East and 6th Avenue West presents an ideal corridor for conversion to a flow street, offering connectivity across residential, healthcare, business, and civic destinations, and complementing existing transportation investments such as the Cross-City Trail and Lakewalk; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of a flow street on First Street would align with the Imagine Duluth 2035 initiative, Duluth’s Climate Emergency Declaration, the State of Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework, and the MIC’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan by supporting a healthier and more connected community while promoting a reduction in vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, establishing a flow street supports Duluth’s strategic goals of enhancing economic development, increasing downtown vibrancy, and ensuring that city infrastructure reflects the evolving needs of residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, similar low-speed shared street designs have been adopted in other cities with success, increasing foot traffic, enhancing neighborhood character, improving public health outcomes, and promoting inclusive transportation access.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the city council recommends that the transportation commission evaluate the feasibility of establishing First Street, between 26th Avenue East and 6th Avenue West, as a “Flow Street”.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in its evaluation of First Street as a Flow Street corridor, the transportation commission considers input from a city council representative, representatives from community organizations, local business representatives, residents, and representatives from relevant stakeholder groups such as Downtown Duluth, and Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the transportation commission shall present recommendations to the city council within nine months from the transportation commission’s initial meeting.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution recommends that the transportation commission evaluate the feasibility of establishing First Street as a “Flow” (Fun + Slow) Street, with the goal of providing multimodal users of Duluth city streets safer and sustainable downtown access.
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