Mayor: Duluth Street Improvement Program A Success In 2009

Despite a battle over how to city of Duluth would pay for an ambitious street improvement program city leaders say they're going ahead with the work.

Earlier this year the Fond du Lac band said it planned to cut the city off from proceeds associated with the Fond-Du-Luth casino. Traditionally that money has been used to fund street repair.

When it comes to improving city streets, officials say this year was a milestone.

"Looking back, we can say it was one of the most successful street construction seasons the city of Duluth has had," said Mayor Don Ness of the City of Duluth.

Officials say many miles of roads in the city are now more comfortable to drive on.

"All told, 34.9 miles of streets within the City of Duluth have been significantly improved if not fully reconstructed," said Ness.

Others say the benefits of the street improvement program can be felt behind the wheel.

"I also want to echo 10th Avenue East, being an East Hillsider myself, how wonderful it is to be able to drive up that without my teeth chattering," said Steve O'Neil, St. Louis County commissioner.

But the Fond du Lac Band has thrown the city a roadblock. Earlier this year the tribe said it was cutting the city off from casino proceeds despite a contract with Duluth,

The city's share of casino money was earmarked to fund the street fix-up plan.

The city calls the band's decision a breach of contract and the matter is now in the hands of the federal court system.

"We are moving forward with our program as if the contract will be upheld by the federal courts," said Ness.

On average, the city says they receive about six million dollars in casino cash from the Fond du Lac Band each year.

The City says they plan to repair 22 additional miles of streets next year and are confident they'll win the court case.

The mayor says his plan calls for improving up to 100 miles of city streets over the course of five years.

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