Mayor Roger J. Reinert

Mayor Roger J. Reinert Official page of Duluth, Minnesota’s, 40th Mayor. Comments/messages are public and subject to data request. FB messages are not actively monitored.

Last night I had the opportunity to see the Lake Superior Zoo’s new Cat Connections Project unveiled. It’s a great addit...
08/18/2026

Last night I had the opportunity to see the Lake Superior Zoo’s new Cat Connections Project unveiled. It’s a great addition to the zoo’s big cat habitats!

The new training walls allow zoo staff to provide demonstrations of animal care and enrichment and give visitors a closer look at the important conservation work being done locally. The “open walls” also improve viewing access for guests, especially helpful for young kids and those using strollers or wheelchairs.

Thanks to Executive Director, Noah Hobbs, for the invitation to see the amur tiger and cougars in a new way. It was great to see the investment in the care of these animals and the staff’s enthusiasm for creating new guest experiences and learning opportunities at the zoo.

Learn more about their exhibits and events on their website: https://lszoo.org/

08/17/2026

HUGE news folks! The next phase of our Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements project begins tomorrow! The first phase of the project will close the Lakewalk from Leif Erickson to Water Street.

The work will include shoreline restoration, trail relocation and reconstruction including a bypass trail near Leif Erikson Park. There will also be ADA accessibility upgrades, trial
connection and wayfinding upgrades from Superior Street downtown to the Lakewalk.

The City received $8.2 million in federal RAISE funding and a $2.05 million MnDOT matching grant to support the project. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

This project will ultimately extend from Endion Station in Canal Park to Water Street, and from Water Street to 27th Avenue E. The work will address storm damage while improving safety, access, and improve the experience for residents and visitors.

Stay up to date on the work, closures and openings on our project page posted on our website at https://duluthmn.gov/parks/parks-trails/current-projects/lakewalk-coastal-improvements/

The St. Louis River Estuary is one of Duluth's greatest natural assets, providing residents and visitors with access to ...
08/15/2026

The St. Louis River Estuary is one of Duluth's greatest natural assets, providing residents and visitors with access to recreational amenities including swimming, kayaking, and boating.

Protecting and restoring the estuary has been a long-term community investment. Over the past several years the City of Duluth and various partners have undertaken major restoration efforts to improve water quality, habitat, and public access. That work has included removing more than 115,000 cubic yards of industrial wood waste, remediating contaminated sediments at sites such as Radio Tower Bay and Kingsbury Bay, restoring critical habitat, and installing green stormwater infrastructure to reduce runoff before it reaches the river.

This coordinated effort is helping restore the ecological health of the estuary while ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from this remarkable resource.

Learn more about the estuary and watch a trailer for the film Estuaries in the Balance: Freshwater Nurseries of Lake Superior at the Minnesota Land Trust website:https://mnland.org/

We finally have a look at what the new Blatnik Bridge will look like! The recently released images show a design that re...
08/14/2026

We finally have a look at what the new Blatnik Bridge will look like! The recently released images show a design that respects the character of the existing bridge while bringing it into the 21st century. The new bridge will feature a higher tied-arch, aesthetic lighting, and a dedicated shared-use path with rest areas for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The replacement is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the history of the Twin Ports. It will remain on the existing alignment and include a redesigned connection to Highway 53 in Superior. The project is being delivered jointly by MnDOT and WisDOT, with more than $1 billion in federal funding and $800 million in state commitments. Construction is expected to begin this fall, with the bridge closed for as long as five years.

The impacts won't be limited to the bridge itself. Lincoln Park is open for business. Please continue to visit, shop and eat in the Lincoln Park Business District throughout construction. Our local businesses are an important part of Duluth, and they need our support while this major regional project is underway.

08/13/2026

At the City of Duluth, our mission is straightforward: provide Effective and efficient core city services at a tax rate our residents and businesses can both afford and sustain. That’s why keeping the city portion of residential and business property taxes affordable is one of our Big 5 strategic priorities.

You may have heard both Minneapolis and St. Paul are both confronting significant 2027 budget gaps. $60 million in Minneapolis and $26 million in St. Paul. Both cities are considering substantial spending cuts alongside double-digit property-tax increases. Both cite inflation, compensation, and benefits. Duluth faces the same cost drivers.

In 2024 we delivered the first 0% tax levy in a decade. And in 2025 we resolved a $7.3 million budget by proposing only a 2.7% increase reflecting the actual rate of inflation. In 2026 you can expect the same fiscal discipline despite another $5.5 million deficit.

What has Duluth done differently? We’ve taken a disciplined approach to city finances by identifying operational efficiencies and aligning resources with the core city services residents expect most. We have also diversified revenue sources to help reduce pressure on residential property taxes. We are using city-owned property strategically to encourage investment and grow our tax base. And we are aligning rates to better reflect the actual cost and use of city
services.

Today we celebrated the grand opening of Lakeview 333! This nearly $100 million investment adds 210 new residential unit...
08/12/2026

Today we celebrated the grand opening of Lakeview 333! This nearly $100 million investment adds 210 new residential units to the heart of downtown Duluth, and folks are already calling it home. Lakeview 333 is the most significant residential project downtown in almost two decades.

A stronger residential downtown means more people living within walking distance of our businesses, restaurants, entertainment, the lake and their workplaces. Projects like Lakeview 333 help create the critical mass of residents that support a more active, vibrant downtown throughout the day, evening, and weekend.

Thank you to Landmark Development for believing in Duluth and seeing this project through, and to the hundreds of skilled construction tradespeople who redeveloped this site into a stunning new addition to our skyline. Projects of this scale don't happen without vision, investment and a lot of hard work.

08/11/2026

It’s Primary Election Day in Minnesota! If you haven’t already voted early or absentee be sure to get out today and cast your ballot.

There are some big races that will be shaped today, including contests for U.S. Senate and Governor, as well as congressional, state legislative, and county non-partisan races. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and if you’re in line by 8 p.m., you can still vote.

If you like really getting a bang for your buck, Primary elections tend to draw dramatically less voters than the General. We’ll be doing well if we get over 20% turnout today compared to 61% voter turnout in the 2022 midterm general elections and 76% in the 2024 presidential election.

So, take a few minutes today to ensure your voice heard and do your civic duty.

08/10/2026

If housing is a critical issue in Duluth, which we all KNOW it is, then one of the first things we need to examine is our rules and policies around vacation dwelling units (VDUs). Almost 2% of Duluth’s entire housing units are effectively unavailable to local long-term residents because they are vacation rentals.

Last year the City Council voted to put a moratorium on new licenses while planning,
permitting, Fire Safety, and Life Safety dug into existing VDU policies. The new recommendations from that study focus on restricting and reducing short term rentals.

Staff recommendations include a ban on future conversions of single-family homes into VDUs. Owner-occupied accessory dwelling units (ADUs) under 800 square feet would be allowed. Single-room rentals (room shares) would also be allowed in owner-occupied homes. And, existing VDU licenses would remain active so long as those properties comply with updated regulations and safety standards.

Watch the staff presentation at the August 6th agenda meeting on our website at
https://duluthmn.gov/city-council/city-council-meetings-events/council-meeting-media/

It’s Spirit Valley Days this weekend! A celebration of everything West Duluth!Thursday night, Leo and I helped kick off ...
08/08/2026

It’s Spirit Valley Days this weekend! A celebration of everything West Duluth!
Thursday night, Leo and I helped kick off this year’s events by walking with Parks, the library, DFD, and DPD in the Spirit Valley Days parade. Thanks to everyone who said hello, waved, or gave Leo a pet.

This weekend’s line-up includes music, classic cars, craft vendors, a pancake breakfast, a street dance, and of course the Miss West Duluth Pageant! Huge thanks to the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors who make this annual tradition such a vibrant part of summer in Duluth.
For a full link to the full schedule of events go to: https://www.spiritvalleydays.com/schedule-of-events

Today is Lighthouse Day in the City of Duluth!To celebrate I had the rare opportunity to tour inside the South Breakwate...
08/07/2026

Today is Lighthouse Day in the City of Duluth!

To celebrate I had the rare opportunity to tour inside the South Breakwater Outer Lighthouse . The Duluth Harbor North Pier Lighthouse and the Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Outer Lighthouse guide vessels safely through the Duluth Ship Canal, supporting the movement of iron ore, grain, and other essential commodities as well as passenger travel through the Port of Duluth- Superior.

Today, these historic landmarks are entering a new chapter. Through the dedication of preservation partners, the lighthouses are being restored and protected for future generations.

Rethos is leading preservation efforts at the North Pier Lighthouse, while the Lake Superior Marine Museum Association is restoring the South Breakwater Outer Light with the goal of eventually opening the structure for public tours and education.

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Duluth, MN
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