Superior mayor outlines initiatives to 'leave normal behind'

SUPERIOR, WIS. – Touting an economy that has "seen more business growth during the pandemic than we have in years," Superior Mayor Jim Paine pledged major investments in broadband, a reimagined northern waterfront and emphasized "a very high bar for policing" during his state of the city address Thursday.

"I didn't invite you here tonight to tell you that we are ready to go back to normal," Paine told a crowd of about 80 people at Earth Rider Brewing's festival grounds. "I asked you to join me so that together we could leave normal behind. We are going forward."

Here are a few of the major policy announcements Paine unveiled:

Superior is expecting a $1 million budget surplus from 2020 and has $17 million coming from the American Rescue Plan, the major pandemic relief package Congress passed this year.

Paine said he will ask City Council to spend a good chunk of that federal money to seed "upfront construction and staffing costs and incentivize participation" in a city-owned broadband network.

The $31 million municipal network, if built, likely would be Paine's largest legacy as mayor. The infrastructure would be owned by the city, but private internet service providers would run the service.

The network would increase speeds and lower costs compared with existing options and be self-sustaining with enough customers, according to a report delivered to City Council this year.

"The plan follows the lead of several American cities that have already developed or are currently developing similar networks," Paine said. "While it is 100% voluntary to property owners, it offers the whole city access to cheaper, faster internet. The network is financed by users and costs taxpayers nothing, but the initial construction is complex and riddled with challenging barriers," hence the request to use federal money to kick-start the effort.

Nodding to the recent anniversary of George Floyd's murder and the continuing "conversation about race and the policing of America's cities," Paine said the city will "challenge and replace outdated and ineffective practices, and we will set clear and measurable goals."

He added that he expects the Superior Police Department to become a "regional hub for innovative law enforcement training."

Paine also said the city will hire a coordinated response specialist to "change the way we respond to mental health crises, substance abuse and addiction, and domestic violence."

In April, City Council approved a plan to offer 10 vacant, city-owned lots for $1 each provided the buyer build and occupy a single-family home on the property within two years. Paine said he also wants to see $400,000 invested in "an affordable housing fund that will help lower barriers to a great place to live for every citizen."

Like Duluth, much of Superior's housing stock is nearing a century old, and buildable lots within city limits are hard to come by.

"Stable housing in vibrant, diverse neighborhoods is the foundation of an urban economy," Paine said. "Without it, everything else eventually fails."

The long-planned passenger train linking the Twin Cities and Duluth includes a stop in Superior, and Paine said he will lobby Congress this summer to make ensure the service gets the money it needs.

He also wants City Council to pay for "a unique and beautiful depot to receive guests into our downtown."

Without offering many details, Paine said he would ask developers to "begin the planning for an exposition and commercial district along Superior's northern waterfront," the largely industrial area he chose to host this year's state of the city speech.

"Superior could be a destination city in Wisconsin," he said. "Let's give people more reasons to come here."

Paine began Thursday's speech by recognizing the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on residents' lives and repeatedly touched on the theme of equitable community growth.

"The first promise I'll make tonight is the most important: We won't forget those who died, and we won't fail those who survived."

Brooks Johnson • 218-491-6496