West Duluth
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West Duluth refers to an official neighborhood district in the west-central part of Duluth, Minnesota.
Contents |
[edit] Neighborhoods
Seven neighborhoods lie within official district boundaries:
- Bayview Heights (associated more with Proctor, Minnesota)
- Cody
- Denfeld
- Fairmount
- Irving
- Oneota
- Spirit Valley
[edit] Geography & Population
West Duluth covers an area of 5,726 acres, or 13% of the city area, making it the third largest district in the city. Note that, as with many other Duluth neighborhood districts, the acreage is actually developed to a major extent is considerably smaller than the district figure. This is largely due to the harsh topography (hill) of the area.
The 2000 census enumerated 11,431 residents in the district, a 3% change from 1990. 23.8% of the population is under 18, and 15.7% over 65. 73.5% of households are owned, slightly higher than the city figure of 64.1%. The official figure places household density at just 0.85 / acre, but in most areas where development has actually taken place the density is much higher. As with the rest of the city, the housing stock tends to be very old by American standards, with a large percentage (most likely a majority) of homes having been built before 1939.
[edit] West Duluth's Center
On a map, the core of West Duluth's "downtown", or center of activity, roughly forms a triangle, with the sides being Grand Avenue (State Hwy. 23), Central Avenue, and Bristol Street in Spirit Valley. This area is formed by two building styles, the first old, often joined buildings, usually containing small, locally-owned stores on the first floor and apartments on the second (if present), and fronted by broad sidewalks. These occupy much of the Grand and Central avenue portions.
The other type, enclosed by Grand Ave., Central Ave., and facing Bristol Street on both sides consists of more recent construction resembling suburban sprawl, despite never sprawling, but only replacing older buildings. A strip mall, "Valley Shopping Center" is anchored by a K-Mart and contains a Subway and United States Postal Service office, among other things (tenants change often). A large sea of asphalt (parking lots and street), divided by buildings and concrete barriers, sits between the mall to other establishments, such as a large Super One supermarket.
Just outside the core is a new urbanist rowhouse development.
[edit] Education
West Duluth students attend Laura MacArthur Elementary School, Morgan Park (middle school), and Denfeld High School. The local Catholic school is St. James, grades K-8, affiliated with the parish of the same name.
An exception to this is the Bayview Heights neighborhood, where students attend Proctor's public schools.
[edit] Renovation
[edit] Roads & Streets
In the summer of 2005, a large portion of Grand Avenue was redone. A stretch from 59th Avenue W to 46th Avenue West was entirely re-paved. The street lane format was altered, new stoplights were put in, new sidewalks were poured, as well as the addition of newer lamp posts. In the spring of 2006, construction started on the second phase of Grand Avenue. A section from 46th Avenue West to 40th Avenue West was being worked on. This project will also repair the sewage lines for several homes in the area. In 2004, a large section of 59th Avenue West was paved over as well.
[edit] New Buildings
In the past several years, numerous business and residential structures have been built in and around the West Duluth area. In 2003, the West Duluth Menards was torn down and rebuilt. At the time of completion, the Menards was the largest in the country. The building is located at Mike Colillo Drive and West Superior Street. In 2004, the West Duluth Clinic opened its doors in its newly constructed offices located at 42nd Avenue West and Grand. The following year, an Advance Auto Parts shop was built on Central Avenue and Grand. In summer 2005, work began for the relocation of an Acme Electric Tool Crib on 44th Avenue West and Grand. In 2006, work started on building which houses both Subway and Papa John's franchises. The lot was formerly used for a used car dealership.
