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Dan Kraker
Duluth

Duluth's Larson lays out optimistic and inclusive vision for city

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson was sworn in on Jan. 4
Duluth Mayor Emily Larson gives her inaugural address Jan. 4 after being sworn into office.
Dan Kraker | MPR News file

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Duluth Mayor Emily Larson laid out her vision of a thriving city where prosperity is shared among all neighborhoods in her first State of the City address Wednesday night.

Larson said there's a mood in Duluth of "cautious optimism," with new growth, development, revitalization and investment. But she said the city must focus on breaking down racial and geographic disparities.

"My vision is of a healthy, prosperous, sustainable, fair and inclusive community for all neighborhoods," she said.

Larson, former head of the Duluth City Council, took office in January, replacing outgoing Mayor Don Ness, who did not seek re-election. After winning 72 percent of the vote and carrying every city precinct, she promised to continue Duluth's momentum and to work to share that growing prosperity throughout the city.

She hit on that theme again in her State of the City speech, saying Duluth remains divided in significant ways. She cited the longstanding division between the more blue-collar west and more affluent eastern parts of the city, and said unemployment rates are about four times higher for blacks and Native Americans.

"We're making progress, to be sure, but these disparities thwart our progress. Our right to a good and healthy life should not be determined by our ZIP code, income, education, gender, race or religion," she said.

Larson ticked off accomplishments in her first 100 days in office, including freeing up $800,000 in additional funds to help patch the city's streets, and finalizing a $31 million plan to restore the NorShor Theatre in downtown Duluth.

She also committed $500,000 to energy conservation efforts.

She identified three priorities for the next year: jobs, housing and sustainable energy.

But she also listed additional challenges, including crime, safety and drugs.

"So consider tonight a beginning," Larson said. "A way to start healing divisions of geography, racism, poverty and lack of opportunity. So we can begin healing and start moving forward."