All seven Duluth Economic Development Authority commissioners unanimously approved a possible land agreement of Lester Park Golf Course.
The Duluth Economic Development Authority held a special meeting to discuss a possible land development agreement. They are looking to rezone and redevelop land on the closed Lester Park Golf Course. DEDA agreed to move ahead with the proposed land agreement to transfer ownership of the upper 230 acres of the golf course. This would allow the entire area to be redeveloped and not just their current property of the lower 36 acres.
DEDA’s Executive Director, Tricia Hobbs, says one of the closing contingencies of the agreement is a land use study. At the moment the upper lot is zoned as park land. However, most of the ideas that have been floated are using the grounds for future housing.
“Zoning will help tell us and understand what is possible at the site, what development can look like. Of course, that will be what drives any sort of future conversation,” Hobbs said. “So we really don’t anticipate anything like that until 2027 or beyond when we start to think about that request for proposals. There’s a lot of groundwork that needs to be done in 2026.”
The estimated costs for the land use study, the survey work, including other necessary preparations will be around $350,000. Robert Arch, a Duluth resident, says it’s crystal clear that the land from the former gold course should be used a residential development.
“The city needs housing so bad, and what a beautiful spot to do something like that here. I’d love to have a place up in here… I’m not a numbers guy, but I sure think that it’s got a lot of value, and people would build and love to be here, you know. The location is key, and it is a good spot, a real good spot. A lot of land.”
There will still be time for Duluth residents to voice their opinions at the next Duluth City Council meeting. The council will need to approve the sale on Monday, December 8th in order for this agreement with DEDA to be active. Also more information about the possible land development agreement you can read more here.