West Duluth

West Duluth refers to an official neighborhood district in the west-central part of Duluth, Minnesota, USA.

Grand Avenue, Central Avenue, and I-35 are three of the main arterial routes in the community.

Neighborhoods

Seven neighborhoods are located within official district boundaries:
*Cody
*Denfeld
*Fairmount
*Irving
*Oneota
*Spirit Valley
*Bayview Heights (associated more with Proctor, MN)

Geography & Population

West Duluth covers an area of convert|5726|acre|km2|0, 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 area 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.

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 Avenue, Central Avenue, 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 Kmart store. 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.

West Duluth's Spirit Valley business district is easily accessible from Interstate Highway 35 at Central Avenue.

Education

West Duluth students attend Stowe Elementary School, Laura MacArthur Elementary School, Lincoln Park Elementary/Middle 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.

Renovation

Roads & Streets

*In the summer of 2005, a large portion of Grand Avenue was redone. A stretch from 46th Avenue West to 59th 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 40th Avenue West to 46th Avenue West was redone. This project also repaired the sewage lines for several homes in the area.

*In 2004, a large section of 59th Avenue West was given new pavement.

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 Avenue.

*In 2005, an Advance Auto Parts shop was built at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Central Avenue.

*In summer 2005, work began for the relocation of an Acme Electric Tool Crib business to 44th Avenue West and Grand Avenue.

*In 2006, work was completed on a new building which houses both Subway and Papa John's Pizza franchises. This lot (at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Elinor Street / 52nd Avenue West) was formerly a used car dealership.

pirit Valley Days

The Spirit Valley Days festival takes place every August in West Duluth.

Events include:

ee also

*Duluth, Minnesota
*Interstate Highway 35
*Grand Avenue - State Highway 23
*40th Avenue West - County Road 91

External links and references

* [http://www.duluthmn.gov/ City of Duluth website]
* [http://www.duluthmn.gov/planning/maps/Neighborhoods_11x17.pdf City map of neighborhoods] (PDF)
* [http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/WES.html West Duluth Branch Library website]
* [http://www.duluth.k12.mn.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=130 Denfeld High School website]
* [http://www.spiritvalleydays.com/ Spirit Valley Days festival -- August -- website]