Heritage Sports Arena, Duluth, Minnesota (Stewart: lease, condos, how much)

[duluthian2008]

Just curious, with the opening of the Heritage Sports Arena in Duluth in a week or two, what are peoples thoughts about it? What do you think it will do for the area? Will it clean up the area? Draw new stores and residents? Also what do you think about the Childrens Musuem locating there?

[aluminumpork]

Well, I certainly think it can't hurt. It's already brought a new Stewarts Bike Shop to that area with the Childrens Museum trying locate there as well, I think it'll turn into a nice area.

That said, this is only Phase I that's opening. Not being the biggest hockey fan *gasp*, I'm more excited for the other stuff that will be going in there.

[duluthian2008]

Same here. I was kind of angry when i heard that some big box stores wanted the site and also that a Hilton wanted to be built on the site with the arena. I think a Hilton would have been great down there and it would have done a lot for the area.

[newcastle]

Are there any plans for a hotel now? I thought the owner of the site also planned on a restaurant and shops to open as well.

[roneb]

The owner was interested in two things. Maintaining the heritage / industrial feel of the old ironworks; and developing restaurant and retail space (possibly a hotel) to compliment the sports center. It has been almost three years since I've talked directly with the owner of the property, though, so plans may have changed.

[aluminumpork]

Here are the four "for profit" elements that were mentioned in a Business North article, not too terribly long ago:

Hotel
Thirty-four-unit hotel built in existing structure at 29th Ave. W. & Michigan St. It will include an atrium with a 49-foot ceiling, rooms as big as 550 square feet with 16-foot ceilings, and a swimming pool, spa and exercise room.

Soccer Facility
New 25,000-square-foot building on 29th Ave. W. Duluth’s first indoor turf facility. In addition to soccer, the field can be used for other sports, like lacrosse, rugby, football or baseball/softball.

Sports Medicine Facility
Attachment to the soccer facility for sports medicine specialists such as athletic trainers, physical therapists, nutritionists and trainers to do business. (Owned by Giuliani and leased to operators.)

Marketplace
Built in the oldest structure in the park, a timber-framed stable constructed for Clyde Iron Co. in 1898. The marketplace will include fresh produce, baked goods, smoked meats, candy, fresh flowers, a coffee shop and two eateries that will feature homemade tamales, ravioli, pizza and pasta.

Duluth Brewing & Malting Co.
Built in existing structure on Helm St. used by original Duluth Brewing & Malting Co. Beer, soda and energy drinks will be produced and sold on site. A sporting goods and outdoors store also will be located in the building.

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I haven't heard any mention of these elements falling through or dieing.

Hilton was involved, but ended up deciding not to. I think if even a portion of these extra go through, I'll be more than happy. Especially the "Duluth Brewing and Malting Co", the Soccer Facility and Market Place.

(Full Business North article: BusinessNorth Exclusives)

[duluthian2008]

I still think it would be great if Hilton built on a site around the Heritage Sports center. I really could see this area becoming almost a "lifestyle center" like area. It would be great if the buildings around it started to be renovated into shops and housing. I think the marketplace will be really great, I just dont know about the area its opening in. Who knows I might be surprised. Does anyone know if they have even started on the marketplace yet? The article says its suppose to open in June?

[aluminumpork]

The area it's opening in isn't really that bad. I too would love to see that part of town getting renovated. Think about how much potential Duluth has with all of it's land. Duluth is such a long city, imagine if portions of West Duluth were like downtown. Newer buildings, taller buildings. The impact of driving down from the top of hill on 35W and towards downtown would be entirely different.

[duluthian2008]

I just think that how that area is already set up its perfect for this type of development. Think of how much much potential West Superior Street has to become a retail, club, residential and movie theater type of district. It would be great if the Heritage Sports Arena triggered this type of development. If there were taller hotels and condos around this area it would be great! I think that this area has so much potential and that its just waiting to be found by a developer. The roads do need to be fixed up. Plus I think that area is so great due to it being so close to the lake and the views of the high bridge are right there.

[newcastle]

Originally Posted by duluthian2008

I just think that how that area is already set up its perfect for this type of development. Think of how much much potential West Superior Street has to become a retail, club, residential and movie theater type of district. It would be great if the Heritage Sports Arena triggered this type of development. If there were taller hotels and condos around this area it would be great! I think that this area has so much potential and that its just waiting to be found by a developer. The roads do need to be fixed up. Plus I think that area is so great due to it being so close to the lake and the views of the high bridge are right there.

I agree, but the city must have professional jobs that pay decent wages for that type of development to be viable. There are not enough jobs to support that. If the city created a student district, I could see that type of nightlife developing in that area. It would be a good overall fit even with the schools further away.