Shopper's Ramp demolition costs
Summary
A third change order on the Shopper's Ramp demolition — pushing the total to $3.04 million — passed 7-2 but sparked a push for a stricter written change-order policy, with two councilors arguing the city's current 25% threshold is far looser than the 5-10% used elsewhere and should trigger competitive rebids.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 28, 2026.
Impact analysis
Change order keeps the project total at just over $3.04 million, with up to $400,000 transferred to DEDA for demolition costs.
The downtown redevelopment site and future users of the preserved Garrick building.
Taxpayers bear the overrun cost while the policy debate continues.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Duluth Economic Development Authority. — October 28, 2026
The demolition of the Shopper's Ramp was set to cost more, with a change order raising the contract total to about $3.22 million. The ramp's removal is part of downtown redevelopment work.
City Council — April 27, 2026
A third change order on the Shopper's Ramp demolition — pushing the total to $3.04 million — passed 7-2 but sparked a push for a stricter written change-order policy, with two councilors arguing the city's current 25% threshold is far looser than the 5-10% used elsewhere and should trigger competitive rebids.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Duluth
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.