School redevelopment projects hit major setbacks

A new life for two former schools in Duluth may not come to fruition as soon as originally thought, with one project even being cancelled in its entirety.

Planning began last year for a new residential development on the former Morgan Park Middle School site. The building that stands there today would be largely renovated and demolished in parts while the area behind would be developed into single and multi family homes.

The issue at hand is financing. Being the project is so far out of the central core of Duluth, banks are weary to lend money to the developer due to the questioning success of the overall development.

Now the other school redevelopment project was planned by Sherman Associates, a developer who has completed a number of Twin Ports projects over the years. Their plans included a renovation of the former Nettleton School into new apartments. The project is extremely similar to Sherman Associates redevelopment of the former Lincoln Middle School, which is currently under construction in Duluth's West End neighborhood.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

It's likely that the Morgan Park project will receive financing soon. However the future of the Nettleton project does not seem to be the brightest.