Protest at Lincoln Park Flats

A week after we broke the news about a plan by management to convert the second floor of Lincoln Park flats to a hotel, demonstrators were in front of the flats picketing saying more needs to be done in other to block the property manager and others in the area from taking this action.

This is coming after the Mayor of the City of Duluth, Emily Larson said they are looking into the matter closely in other to get the best possible outcome for Duluthians. “Our efforts are focused on working with local developer P&R, who has invested across the community in important and meaningful ways, to keep this building open as a residential apartment building. We need this neighborhood to succeed, we need to keep people housed and we need to protect the public investment we’ve already made. My administration, city staff and City Councilors are working hard to accomplish all of this.”

One of the demonstrators we spoke to John Krumm, a member of the Democratic Socialist of America says this as to stop.

“In Duluth, one of the main issues is housing. We have a super tight market. And we have an emphasis in the city on developing tourism. When really, we need to be emphasizing much more on the development of affordable housing”

Another demonstrator Matthew Hajicek says

 “I’m against the intrusion of the people of Lincoln Park zone. And then hearing so much push for affordable housing, you know, a certain percentage of these apartments are gonna be for affordable housing. And then they come in, kick people out after ten months then turn it to a boutique hotel. It’s just hypocritical of me.

The City now say they are working to make sure additional review is done before issuing hotel permits in the further.