I would like to address an apparent misunderstanding in the Dec. 27 letter, “ Don’t attack dignity of Lincoln Park bus riders .” The core issue business owners in the Lincoln Park area are raising with the Duluth Transit Authority was overlooked.
We business-district property owners fully support the DTA and the bus system. They are vital to our city and its residents.
The issue at hand isn’t the buses themselves but the location of a proposed double bus stop. The DTA plans to place these stops directly in front of a prospective restaurant with outdoor seating, which creates a number of concerns. Imagine the exhaust from two buses — or four buses if the other side of the street is being used at the same time — spewing into the dining area, affecting both air quality and patrons’ experience. Additionally, the plan would take more than 12 parking spaces (not the two mentioned in the letter) that are essential for customers visiting nearby businesses.
Business owners aren’t asking for the buses to be removed but rather for the bus stops to be relocated just one block down, either east in front of a parking lot or west under the new bridge. In those locations, they wouldn't disrupt the community. This minor change would prevent buses from blocking access to businesses or negatively impacting diners and the surrounding area.
As a longtime Duluth resident, I’ve ridden the DTA on many occasions and appreciate its service. However, I wonder if those sharing the concerns expressed in the letter have ever experienced the vibrations caused by a bus stopping and then accelerating. Imagine that in close proximity to buildings in Lincoln Park. It shakes the structure, causing significant disruption for those inside.
One business owner has already moved out, feeling his voice was not heard by the DTA and the city. As a prospective building developer, I am not sure we want to move forward with our project, which would leave another gray ghost in Lincoln Park. That’s a possibility if the city doesn’t appreciate us trying to help.
We want Duluth residents to understand this is not an opposition to the DTA but a request for a simple adjustment to the bus-stop location. A small change, just one block down, would improve the quality of life for both business owners and patrons without affecting the bus service.
We urge anyone who supports this to sign our petition at chng.it/z5ynQn6Byb . This is a small but important issue.
DeBora Rachelle owns the historic Anderson Furniture Building at 2030 and 2032 West Superior St., with plans to renovate it into a 30-room hotel and restaurant with retail stores and a spa. She is one of 12 Lincoln Park business owners on the same block urging a change to a proposed bus stop’s location.
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