Though plans call for the Harbor View project to be demolished and replaced, residents will be able to stay connected with their community.
It was just over a year ago that state and local officials announced that Duluth was one of 28 cities awarded federal grants to revitalize distressed public housing and spur economic development. Fifty-eight projects had applied.
After three year of trying, the city was selected for a $20 million Hope VI grant that is expected to help the local housing authority leverage an estimated $106 million in other money through bonds, loan deals and mortgages.
The plan calls for the 200 public housing units at Harbor View to be replaced with 186 units of mixed-income housing on a nearby 10 acres acquired from the school district. There will also be 312 units of housing in other parts of the city, and the grant will pay for relocation services.
The new housing will be designed to blend with adjacent residential neighborhoods. The new development will also offer community facilities, providing programs and services such as child care. This week, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth took action to make sure residents who will be relocated can stay involved with the Copeland Community Center.
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According to the authority, the center is committed to continue serving Harbor View residents throughout the revitalization process. Subsequently, the authority board passed a resolution providing for transportation and meeting facilitation services.
Executive director Rick Ball said, "It will provide services to Hope VI residents as they are in transition to try and maintain a sense of community."
Those residents will be provided with van transportation to events at Copeland and will continue to be supported by the center's staff and programs.
The board also approved a Hope VI related agreement with Lutheran Social Services for an auto loan grant program. The purpose is to help meet the transportation needs of parents who cannot qualify for other types of financing. Loans will be available ranging from $300 to $3,000 with various repayment plans.
Ball announced that the authority has been designated a "High Performing Agency" by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the third straight year. Performance criteria included the physical maintenance of properties, financial management, administrative management and resident satisfaction.
"We are very proud, and it does reflect very well on the entire staff," he said.
He also told the board that bids have been awarded for the demolition of the old Lincoln Hotel in downtown Duluth.
