Duluth Council Retained Parking on Fourth Street

The city council voted to keep parking on the lower side of Fourth Street following revised construction plans.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in City Hall

Duluth Council Retained Parking on Fourth Street

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Should local governments prioritize maintaining street parking over installing new pedestrian sidewalks?

The Duluth City Council unanimously passed a resolution to preserve existing parking along a two-block stretch of Fourth Street. This decision reverses earlier proposals that would have eliminated parking on the lower side of the road.

Why it matters

City officials adjusted the project design to address concerns from councilors regarding the potential loss of vehicle parking for area residents. The updated plan balances parking needs with new infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

The plan retains parking from Third Avenue East to Fifth Avenue East while eliminating a previously planned sidewalk. Instead, the city will install an 8-foot-wide shared-use path to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.

The players

Duluth City Council

This is the governing body responsible for legislative decisions and city infrastructure project approvals in Duluth.

Duluth Parking Commission

This municipal advisory board oversees parking policies and makes recommendations regarding street usage to the city council.

The details

The project includes adding one block of bike lanes between Sixth Avenue East and Fifth Avenue East to bridge existing infrastructure. This network currently serves the area with overnight alternate-side parking and bike lanes stretching to Wallace Avenue.

The Parking Commission initially recommended eliminating parking by a 4-3 vote in August 2026.
A transportation advocate urged the council to support the original proposal on September 14, 2026.
The City Council unanimously passed the resolution to retain parking on October 13, 2026.
Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2028.
Construction is expected to be completed in 2029.

Political Context

Opposition to the original plan centered on the reduction of parking inventory in the Central Hillside neighborhood. While transportation advocates pushed for the removal of parking to prioritize non-motorized infrastructure, local councilors prioritized the immediate needs of vehicle-owning residents.

Residents in the Central Hillside area will retain existing parking spaces along Fourth Street, preventing a shift in local parking availability. Motorists should continue to follow established overnight alternate-side parking rules until construction begins in 2028.

The takeaway

Maintaining urban parking while integrating cycling infrastructure requires careful design adjustments to satisfy conflicting constituent priorities. Residents are encouraged to monitor future public hearings as the project moves toward its 2028 construction start date.