Gwinnett Daily Post

DULUTH -- A small area of downtown Duluth is getting a facelift, thanks to the help of volunteers and the city's downtown development authority.

According to Chris McGahee, Duluth's economic development director, the groups are pitching in to "beautify a nook between a warehouse and storefront in downtown Duluth to make a somewhat unsightly section of the city pleasing to the eye."

The city-owned property could include a gazebo, some trees, flowers, benches and possibly some art, McGahee said.

"We want it to be a commons area, but also a calm, restful, peaceful place for our residents and others," he said.

The measure was unanimously approved at the Jan. 9 Duluth City Council meeting. Community volunteers and the downtown development authority plan to start working on the courtyard in March. McGahee said the project will take about a month to complete.

Parking spaces in front of the planned courtyard will likely be removed, he added.

For more information about the city of Duluth, visit www.duluthga.net.