DULUTH — Costs are poised to ramp up substantially for the removal of an abandoned parking structure, potentially clearing the way for new downtown development.

The old Shopper’s Ramp at 18 N. Second Ave. W. has been leveled for $967,000, but proposed change orders could push the total project price tag to more than $2.53 million to stabilize the adjacent New Garrick Building.

The Duluth City Council will be asked Monday to sign off on the additional funding needed to complete the job.

Tricia Hobbs, director of the Duluth Economic Development Authority, said city staff knew all along that a second phase of the project would be needed, although the future cost of that work remained a bit of a mystery, given the ramp’s close proximity to the New Garrick Building — also known as the Pine

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