I just read the Feb. 21 News Tribune article about the plan to make one-way First Street in downtown Duluth two-way traffic all the way from 21st Avenue East to Mesaba Avenue.
A senior city planner has apparently determined that it would be safer for pedestrians and would help slow down traffic along that busy street. The article stated that we are going to pay $27,827 to have a Twin Cities engineering company draw up final plans and specifications, pending City Council approval.
I can save the city all that money by giving a free, firsthand report drawn from living here for 75 years. Here it is: It is a dumb idea. You're welcome.
Is this the same city planner or was it some other genius in City Hall who decided Superior Street should have sidewalks on both sides of the street that are 20 feet wide? Whoever it was, it should have been a clue that those making decisions for Duluth must not live here in the wintertime. Are we supposed to assume that with global warming overtaking us that we won't have big snowstorms anymore? This past winter it took two months to finally clear the snow from the streets and sidewalks downtown.
Imagine if First Street was two-way traffic: CHAOS. How would deliveries be made to businesses along First Street? Duh! How would traffic meet going in opposite directions when there is only room for one car to weave between the snowbanks and parked vehicles?
This may not be the dumbest idea yet to come out of City Hall, but it is right up there with tearing down the Spalding Hotel and the Lyceum building some 50 years ago. (I'm still pissed about that.)
Mayor Emily Larson, ditch this idea and use the plans-and-specifications money to hire a guy with a Bobcat to go around cleaning up the snow along First Street after the plows have gone by. One guy can do a lot in a week's time to make a difference in the snow problem after a big snowfall.
Two-way traffic on First Street is beyond a ridiculous proposal. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.
Jerry Fredrickson owned businesses on First Street in downtown Duluth in the 1990s and on Superior Street from 2011 to 2016. His present business, refurbishing antique pool tables, is also located on First Street.
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February 24, 2020 at 07:00PM
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Local View Column: Making First Street a two-way a 'dumb idea' - Duluth News Tribune
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