Two Harbors Agate Bay Proposed Project Area

In June 2023, the citizen group, Friends of the Waterfont, was selected by the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) to receive dedicated preliminary design resources to develop a community-driven plan for developing the Two Harbors Agate Bay waterfront.

The proposed design area is between the working ore docks and historic lighthouse, and adjacent to our downtown business district. We were 1 of only 8 communities out of 60+ applicants and the only community in the Midwest selected for CIRD for this program.

The project area includes 40+ acres of waterfront owned by the DNR that is in the process of being transferred to the city, as well as some city-owned property. When that land transfer is completed, Two Harbors will have ownership of its entire waterfront for the first time in the city’s history.

Despite heavy use by residents and tourists, the infrastructure, safety, and accessibility of our waterfront have long been neglected. 

The result of our efforts working with CIRD will be a community-driven preliminary design concept available in the fall of 2024. At that time, our community group will make recommendations for moving the project forward to the city council.