Duluth City authorizes study of multi-use trail to connect Hudgens property to downtown

James Riker, City Manager for Duluth City, described plans related to the pending development of the Hudgens property and said city staff and the developer view a multi-use trail connecting the site to downtown as essential to link destinations for pedestrians and cyclists. Council members authorized staff to obtain cost estimates and to use an on-call engineer to analyze trail alternatives.

Riker said the study would evaluate options for where and how the trail would run, how it would connect intermediate properties, and construction cost estimates. Staff noted that a budget amendment would be required to fund the study and any subsequent design work. No specific cost figures were presented at the work session.

Council direction was limited to authorizing staff to gather cost information and proceed with an engineering analysis; the council did not approve construction funding or a specific alignment. The item will return to council once staff presents cost estimates and study recommendations.