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.

06/23/2026

Happy Public Service Day!

Public servants are the ones that step up to support the community in service of others. They restore power after storms, repair streets and utilities, respond to emergencies, maintain our parks, teach our children, protect public health, and keep l essential city services running. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt by every resident.

I'm grateful for the dedicated public servants who choose service over recognition and work every day to make Duluth a safer, healthier, and stronger community.

If you see a public servant today, take a moment to say thank you. And if you're looking for a career where you can make a real difference, consider public service. There are few occupations more rewarding than serving your community.

Big changes are coming to Lincoln Park this summer as work begins a $36 million investment in rebuilding West Superior S...
06/22/2026

Big changes are coming to Lincoln Park this summer as work begins a $36 million investment in rebuilding West Superior Street and the underlying road and utility infrastructure.

This three-year project will bring temporary challenges, but the result will be safer streets, improved utilities, and a stronger foundation for one of Duluth's most vibrant neighborhoods.

As work gets underway, a reminder everyone that Lincoln Park businesses are OPEN. These restaurants, breweries, shops, artists, and retailers need our support. There are multiple ways to access the district, and every visit during construction will make a real difference.

Just around the corner is also the $1.8B Blatnik Bridge reconstruction to start in 2027. Close coordination of these two massive projects will minimize disruptions and impact on the neighborhood and business district.

Project updates: https://duluthmn.gov/engineering/2026-sales-tax-projects/project-2317/

Congratulations to Grandma’s Marathon for 50 amazing years!The race began in 1977 with 150 runners and has grown into on...
06/21/2026

Congratulations to Grandma’s Marathon for 50 amazing years!

The race began in 1977 with 150 runners and has grown into one of the largest and most respected marathons in the country, welcoming more than 20,000 participants each year.

I had fun serving as the official starter for the Irvin 5K, visiting the Essentia Health Fitness Expo, and most personal and memorable - running my first ever Grandma’s Marathon!

Duluth is the smallest city in America to host a Top 10 marathon. This would not be possible without the thousands of volunteers who staff water stations, assist with logistics, support runners on the course, and welcome participants at the finish line. Your generosity, enthusiasm,
and commitment are what make Grandma’s Marathon so special. You create an experience that keeps runners coming back year after year and introduces visitors from around the world to everything Duluth has to offer.

Thank you to the athletes, volunteers, first responders, city staff, and community partners who worked together to create a safe, welcoming, and memorable experience for everyone.

The annual Juneteenth Jamboree took place at the Hillside Community Center today, a tradition proudly hosted by Duluth’s...
06/19/2026

The annual Juneteenth Jamboree took place at the Hillside Community Center today, a tradition proudly hosted by Duluth’s NAACP for more than 50 years.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were free, marking the final enforcement of emancipation in the United States. It is a day to celebrate freedom, honor African American history and culture, and reflect on the ongoing work of building a more just and inclusive community.

Thank you to the Duluth NAACP for continuing this important tradition and bringing our community together year after year. It was great to see the Duluth Police and Fire Departments, the Human Rights and Equity Office, and Workforce Development staff all participating in today’s celebration.

Diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and understanding our shared history helps us build a stronger future together.

Happy Juneteenth, Duluth!

Grandmas Marathon’s 50th Anniversary weekend has officially begun!I joined race organizers, community leaders and city s...
06/18/2026

Grandmas Marathon’s 50th Anniversary weekend has officially begun!

I joined race organizers, community leaders and city staff at the annual Public Service Breakfast to honor the public service workers and elected officials for their service to community and for their contributions to the success of Grandmas’ Marathon.

There were a series of awards including the prestigious Rudy Perpich Public Service Award named in honor of the late Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich. He was our state’s longest serving governor and was a critical supporter in the early years of the race.

This year’s recipient is the is the Air National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing. They are recognized for their logistical and safety support as well as for their contributions to the success of the race weekend.

This weekend marked a major step forward in improving connections between downtown,Lincoln Park, the west hillside, and ...
06/17/2026

This weekend marked a major step forward in improving connections between downtown,
Lincoln Park, the west hillside, and the waterfront as the aging pedestrian bridge over I-35 just south of downtown Duluth was removed. The work required a full weekend closure of I-35.

This work is part of the $3.2 million state-funded infrastructure investment to replace the bridge with a structure that meets current freeway clearance, ADA accessibility, and trail width standards.

The existing bridge had reached the end of its useful life and no longer met modern accessibility and safety standards. Its replacement will provide a safer, more accessible, and more welcoming connection for pedestrians and cyclists. Detours are now in place and will change in stages as construction progresses. The first detour follows the City's West Superior Street
reconstruction route and is marked with signage.

The new bridge is expected to be open sometime this fall.

Learn more about the project here: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/i-35-pedestrian-bridge/index.html

An exciting day at City Hall as we welcomed the Law Enforcement Torch Run to Priley Circle as they make their way to the...
06/16/2026

An exciting day at City Hall as we welcomed the Law Enforcement Torch Run to Priley Circle as they make their way to the Twin Cities of the 2026 Special Olympic Games!

I took time over my lunch hour to put on my running shoes and participate again this year in the run. This organization, and the run, are extra special to me since one of my sisters is a proud Special Olympian.

Running alongside our incredible law enforcement officers and community members to support the athletes of Special Olympics is inspiring. Their determination, spirit, and joy remind us what inclusion and community are all about.

My thanks to the Special Olympics, and DPD Officers O’Conner and Temple, for the opportunity to be part of this tradition. An extra shout out to Grandmas Marathon for highlighting this event as part of their big 50th Anniversary week!

06/15/2026

Housing at all income levels is one of our five strategic priorities and remains one of the most important issues facing our community.

Tonight, the Duluth City Council will consider proposed updates to the Unified Development Chapter (UDC) aimed at expanding housing opportunities and making it easier to build. These updates are intended to expand housing supply, support responsible growth, and help ensure Duluth can meet the needs of current and future residents.

These changes respond to the Council’s 2025 resolution supporting zoning reforms to address Duluth’s housing shortage. City staff have reviewed existing regulations, engaged residents, and worked with the Planning Commission to identify ways to reduce barriers to housing development.

The proposed amendments would simplify zoning regulations, allow a wider range of housing options, increase flexibility for residential development, modernize sustainability standards, and streamline the development process.

Residents can review the full proposal and supporting materials on the Planning Commission page of the City of Duluth website

Greg Grell and I recently sat down for our quarterly conversation to discuss some of the most important issues facing Du...
06/14/2026

Greg Grell and I recently sat down for our quarterly conversation to discuss some of the most important issues facing Duluth.

We covered the City's Five Big Priorities and where we are in the budget planning process as we work to balance community needs with available resources. We also talked about the Strong Towns philosophy, what it means for Duluth, and the opportunity to share our work on a national stage at this week's Strong Towns Conference.

We also discussed the latest developments at Lester Park, including feedback from the second community survey, with results expected in July and additional planning steps to follow.

Finally, we got into the excitement leading up to the 50th Anniversary of Grandma's Marathon. We are looking forward to a full week of events including the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics! Grandma’s is the unofficial kick-off to summer and continues to deliver tremendous economic benefits for Duluth while showcasing our community to thousands of guests.

This is a conversation has a lot of info you won’t want to miss. Listen to the full conversation on our You Tube channel or on our website https://duluthmn.gov/mayor/a-conversation-with-the-mayor/

Honored to be invited to speak this weekend at a national Strong Towns gathering to highlight the work we’re doing in Du...
06/13/2026

Honored to be invited to speak this weekend at a national Strong Towns gathering to highlight the work we’re doing in Duluth to use the Financial Decoder tool to better understand and take action on deep structural and financial challenges.

One of the most important shifts is to think beyond a 12-month budget cycle, and budget for the long-term realities of unfunded liabilities and deferred maintenance. Roads, utilities, parks, buildings, and other public infrastructure carry long-term obligations. When we don’t plan for those real costs, then we’re simply pushing costs onto the next generation. And every year we do that that costs multiply.

Duluth has real challenges ahead. We can’t keep doing what we’ve always done because the math doesn’t work. Long-term financial sustainability and infrastructure responsibility are what it actually takes to run a strong city.

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Duluth, MN
55801, 55802, 55803, 55804, 55805, 55806, 55807, 55808, 55810, 55811, 55812

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