Reinert delivers second State of the City address

Roger Reinert, Duluth’s 40th mayor, gave his second State of the City address on Tuesday evening at the Ordean East Middle School Little Theater.

Reinert’s highlighted accomplishments in 2024 and previewed challenges and opportunities the community can expect in 2025.

Key takeaways in 2024:

. Economic development efforts in the western side of Duluth include Sofidel’s multimillion-dollar, workforce-tripling expansion, the Amazon distribution center filling its workforce, and the invigoration of the western Duluth corridor.

. Downtown housing development includes the Lakeview 333 and Ordean projects. Street maintenance and preservation included 19 miles of street rehabilitation and preservation efforts like crack-filling and chip sealing.

. Reinvestment efforts in the Historic District razed the Pastoret Terrace property and will bring down the Shoppers Parking Ramp while preserving the Pineapple building.

. Moving tourism marketing out of City Hall and back to Visit Duluth as a destination marketing organization.

. The passage of a zero-percent property tax levy, making good on a promise to give residents a break for a year.

. The hiring of nine new leadership team members.

Key takeaways for 2025:

. Downtown revitalization efforts include the enhancement of public safety, property values, and increased commercial and housing opportunities.

. Significant city budget challenges in 2025 and 2026.

. Opportunities for regionalization of services like libraries, parks, and economic development.

Reinert prioritized better engaging residents and discussed plans in 2025 for a City of Duluth app for mobile phones, the first resident survey since 2019, and a citywide book read focused on combating the loss of civility driven by social media.

Reinert recognized three individuals for excellence in community service via the Good Neighbor Award, Citizen of the Year Award, and the Clarence Maddy Award (named for the City of Duluth’s longest-serving City Administrator in its history).

Respectively, Duluth resident Nick Karl, GND Development Aliance President Mark Boben, and former City Administrator David Montgomery were honored for their contributions to the city and Duluth.

Reinert’s speech is available in full on the Mayor’s website, here.