Duluth City Council votes on resolution to fund the Damiano Center and CHUM

The Duluth City Council voted on a resolution for funding for the Damiano Center and Chum on Tuesday November 12th. The resolution was to amend the allocation request of $500,000 in funding from the sale of the cirrus incubator building.

This would also be added with another request of up to $500,000 in funding from the Duluth economic development authority for the construction of a 120-bed temporary shelter at the Damiano center.

Housing development and funding has been a frequent topic at Duluth City council meetings

“I think of three months ago, we were talking about where we could put people outdoor encampments,” Terese Tomanek Duluth City Council Vice President. “And now, a short three months later, we’re talking about a safe place for people to be, a warm place for people to be, and a secure place while Chum builds out their expansion.”

A concern for the councilors was future funding after COVID era funding runs dry.

“We had very different budget discussions before we started seeing this influx of federal funds that came from the COVID response,” said Duluth City Council Arik Forsman. “So, it’s just going to be a different day. I don’t think we can abdicate our responsibility to partner on these types of topics, but we might not be the funder.”

The resolution passed unanimously and will be rediscussed on November 25th after feedback from the Duluth Economic Development Authority.