The Duluth News Tribune reported last week that a new developer is considering purchasing the Duluth Armory for redevelopment as a cultural center and concert venue.

From the story by Peter Passi:

The Armory Arts and Music Center, a local group of people working to save the building on London Road between 13th and 14th avenues East, has explored previous projects with other developers who got cold feet. Mark Poirier, the center’s project development consultant, said everyone is trying to keep their hopes in check — but there is reason for optimism.

“I’ve been down this road enough times that I’m not counting my chickens before they’re hatched quite frankly, but we’ve never been this far in the process. We’re very excited because we’ve never had a partner share our vision as much as Boisclair [Corporation] does,” he said.

The Duluth Armory has a special place in Duluth music history. Buddy Holly played there days before the plane crash that ended his life. That concert was attended by a young kid born in Duluth, raised up in Hibbing: Robert Zimmmerman, aka Bob Dylan.

Organizers have sought funding to renovate the facility in recent years, but never got the business plan together. We’ll see if this latest development pans out.