New stores coming to Duluth, anyone know of any? (Bemidji: to move, light rail)

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by duluthian2008

Btw the old First Photo building on Central Entrance is pending.

Pending, as is pending for sale? Do we know who the buyer is? I hope they get rid of the old building. It's be nice to have something there of size, and possibly closer to the road. It would also be nice if they raised that area so it's more level with the road. It's in kind of a hole right now.

[duluthian2008]

As in Sale Pending. I really would like that whole site to be razed and rebuilt a new. It would be nice if they could get the pet groomer building too. Maybe build a strip center where the Pet Groomer could locate in.

Also on the corner of Arrowhead and Haines road, the 45 acres of land Holappa owns, had new been named "Arrowhead Crossing" and is going to be a business park. On the corner there also is 13+ acres of retail land for sale. On Haines road, I would think that land would go soon.

[kuan]

Well I know Frost River has closed. Went down there yesterday and they were renovating the space for some future tenant. Too bad, they were the only folks in the entire USA making classic bicycle bags.

[duluthian2008]

Wow Walgreens is trying again for Kenwood! Good for them! I really hope they are able to build there this time around. It would make so much sense for a Walgreen's to be located in Kenwood.

[DSCBully]

I just found out that Jan 1(hopefully) there will be a piano bar/martini lounge on the street level of greysolon plaza. And blackwoods is doing a great job of bringing the ballroom back to the amazing place it once was.

[aluminumpork]

So, I've been doing some digging and have been able to find a few interesting things.

So, up first is the Armory Arts and Music Center. I had a made another post a little while ago wondering if anyone had any news on the project. It may very well be dead, but I came up with some plans that were posted in early October of this year. It appears to be in the design stage still, but the fact that the plans were so recently put online makes me wonder.

Here are some plan images representing the current floor and site plans. Pretty interesting stuff.

Proposed Road Changes
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4...sedroadiw5.jpg


Lower Level Plan
ImageShack - Image Hosting :: lowerlevelplanku1.jpg


First Floor Plan
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2...oorplanoq0.jpg


Intermediate Floor Plan
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/2...oorplandc6.jpg


Second Floor Plan
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1...oorplanfk1.jpg


Third Floor Plan
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/7...oorplanvr8.jpg


Site Plan
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3029/siteeg3.jpg


I found it particularly interesting that they want to disconnect 13th Ave from London Rd so they can expand a patio area out in that direction. I don't really see why not, I suppose.

Secondly, the proposed "Central Heights Office Building" has not completely disappeared after all. A design proposal/bid (whatever you want to call it) was created just this month on the 5th. No other news on that, other than it still seems to be something that somebody wants to do.

Another little tidbit, and I'm not even sure where this store is located (is it the one in the Mall?), but a Visionmart #82 started accepting construction bids for a remodel on the 18th and the remodeling is due to start in January.

ALSO, a bit on the Mariott Hotel/Restaurant project, evidently "official" construction is not estimated to start until June of 2009. Apparently they're still in the design stage.

@DSCBully: That's great news! The Greysolon Plaza is such a classy building, it'd be great to start using the rest of the prime street level space for something like that.

[duluthian2008]

Wow thats great to see about the Amory! I forgot that it was all music devoted.

I really am curious to see what will happen with the Central Heights office building. I really would be interested to see what offices would locate in there. It was a nice looking building though and it would do some good for the area. I hope it still is a go.

Darn I wish they would start construction on Residence Inn sooner. I still want to know if they got a restaurant to sign on. Design stage? I thought it was all designed months ago. Well if they are still designing atleast that means we will get the most current prototype.

[nateduluthnative]

Does anyone know if Dress Barn will open a store in Duluth? The reason I ask is that they are part of Maurices which is headquartered in Duluth. I am also wondering if the VISI data center is still in the works or is it dead.

[duluthian2008]

I myself dont think Dress Barn will open a location in Duluth, Superior or Cloquet, because Maurices has always been based up here and I feel most people would stay more loyal to Maurices then Dress Barn. Not too many people were happy when Dress Barn bought Maurices.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by nateduluthnative

I am also wondering if the VISI data center is still in the works or is it dead.

According to APEX, the project is still in the works, but progressing at a slower pace than expected. This is mainly due to troubles negotiating with the planned anchor tenant (SMDC). If the SMDC negotiations fall through, then I could actually see the whole project flopping. *crosses fingers*