Return to Home Page 221 West First Street 
Duluth, MN 55802 
218.529.7541 
800.232.0707 
Duluth Urban Area Growth Impact Study
The Duluth Urban Area Growth Impact Study utilizes a unique GIS-based development suitability analysis to determine those areas best suited for future growth in Duluth's outlying townships. It also sets forth recommendations ans suggested policies intended to provide area jurisdictions with a foundation for managing future growth and utility extensions and improvements.
Background
A group of local stakeholders met in the summer of 2002 to discuss the possibility of extending water service to townships and areas outside of Duluth. A number of concerns were discussed, such as problems with aging (or failing) residential wells and the need to provide a reliable water source to public facilities. The result of these initial stakeholder meetings was the formation of the Lake Superior Regional Water Committee.

The Lake Superior Regional Water Committee met three times between July and November 2002. The mission of the committee was to “plan, design and fund an adequate metropolitan area public water system to service the general needs of the public and support current and future economic vitality.” Initial discussions of the committee supported the idea of seeking federal and state funding to solve water issues in the area. Discussions about estimating the costs of extensions were begun.

Regional Planning Process
As discussions continued on this topic, it became apparent that this issue was more complex than simply extending water service to outlying areas. Provision of water services is interrelated with other infrastructure and services such as sewer, gas, and roads. The underlying issue is how the growth of residential, commercial and industrial development impacts area communities. It became clear that it would be wise to determine how best to accommodate growth while ensuring taxpayer protection from the consequences of inefficient patterns of development.

This led to a consensus decision to move ahead and conduct a regional planning process with a logical, systematic approach to examine growth impacts. The resulting Duluth Urban Area Growth Impact Study identifies areas that are best suited for growth and answers the question of where water lines and other infrastructure should be built.

For More Information
Contact MIC Principal Planner Andy McDonald by phone at (218) 529-7514 or send a message by email.

Search

Quick Links
Find information about the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council's Policy Board MIC Policy Board
Find information about the Bike-Ped Advisory Committee Advisory Committee - BPAC
Find information about the MIC's Transportation Advisory Committee Advisory Committee - TAC
Find information about the MIC's Harbor Technical Advisory Committee Advisory Committee - HTAC
Bike Map
Find information about the MIC's Long Range Transportation Plan through the year 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan
Find information about selected Geographic Information Systems projects and maps Maps and GIS
View archive of MIC plans and studies Plans and Studies
Public Involvement Plan
Find information about the Duluth Area Transportation Improvement Program TIP - Duluth Area
TIP - Superior Area
Find information about the MIC's transit planning initiatives Transit Planning
View the MIC's current Work Program & Budget for 2007-2008 Work Program & Budget

Meeting Information
Click here to view current MIC meeting materials.

Click here to view calendar of all upcoming committee meetings.

MIC Staff
Click here for list of MIC staff members, their current projects and email contact information.


Select a Font Size Set Display to the Normal Font Size Set Display to a Larger Font Size Set Display to the Largest Font Size

We Need Your Input!
We are seeking public review and comment on the following planning initiatives:

DRAFT 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Superior Metro Area

Featured Planning Project
Long Range Transportation Plan - Directions 2035

Current Planning Initiatives
Click on a project link, below, for information about current MIC planning efforts:

Bike-Ped Advisory Committee (BPAC)

2011-2014 Duluth Urbanized Area TIP

Recent Plans and Studies
Click on a project link, below, for information about recent MIC plans and studies:

UMD-CSS Transportation Study

East 2nd Street Access Management Plan (Superior)

DTA Route Analysis for the City of Superior

Downtown Modal Connections Study

Proctor Comprehensive Plan Update 2008

Endion Land Use and Transportation Study

Safe Routes To School Funding Applications

Northwest Superior Traffic Circulation Plan

Proctor Master Trail Plan

Transportation Systems Management (TSM)

Munger Trail to Lakewalk Connector


Erie Pier Management Plan

Duluth Heights Traffic Circulation Plan

MnDOT Functional Classification Update

Public Involvement Plan

Rice Lake Road Corridor & Traffic Impact Study

Duluth and Superior Safe Routes to School Plans

Duluth Urban Area Growth Impact Study

Human Services Coordinated Transit Plan

Study Shows Arrowhead Region Rich in Transportation Assets
A recent study released by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), Arrowhead Region's Transportation Assets: A Case Study of the Twin Ports Region of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin, highlights the assets and opportunities related to multi-modal transportation systems in the Twin Ports area of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin.