Title
RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE EVALUATION OF THE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF THE DOWNTOWN PUBLIC SKYWALK SYSTEM.
Body
BY COUNCILORS FORSMAN, RANDORF, NEPHEW AND SWENSON:
WHEREAS, since the 1970's, the city of Duluth has invested in the development and maintenance of the downtown public skywalk system to provide safe, convenient, and weather-protected pedestrian access; and
WHEREAS, the downtown public skywalk system has long been a vital part of the downtown infrastructure, supporting local businesses, tourism, and the overall economic vitality of the area and serving as an important link for customers, tenants, and visitors of downtown who rely on it to move between, public buildings, hotels, restaurants, other businesses and the DECC year-round; and
WHEREAS, changes in urban development, transportation trends, and economic conditions that accelerated during and since COVID-19 necessitate a refreshed and comprehensive evaluation of the downtown public skywalk system's long-term viability and potential adjustments necessary for continued, safe operation; and
WHEREAS, public safety concerns have been identified within the downtown public skywalk system, connections with public parking ramps, and the downtown, necessitating a thorough evaluation to ensure the safety and security of all users; and
WHEREAS, the city council recognizes the importance of planning for the future to ensure that the downtown public skywalk system continues to meet the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors in a downtown that has changed significantly in recent years; and
WHEREAS, maintaining the downtown public skywalk system has presented challenges for the priority of creating a vibrant and active street-level downtown environment, which is essential for the economic and social vitality of the area; and
WHEREAS, other cities, such as Cincinnati, Des Moines, and Dallas, have recently undergone similar evaluations of their skywalk systems to enhance street-level vibrancy and addr...
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