Tim Meyer is a Duluth architect and community builder. Reach him at tim.meyer@meyergroupduluth.com
Hermantown grew the way many communities do. Residents moved out of Duluth seeking quieter neighborhoods and a more family-friendly setting. The growth came quickly and largely without a unifying plan.
By 2026, Hermantown has surpassed 10,000 residents. It is no longer a small town. It is a city. But it does not always feel like one.
There is no traditional downtown. No clearly defined business district. Development is spread along commercial corridors, dominated by strip retail. The city has strong schools, modern public buildings and well-kept neighborhoods. It has amenities many communities would welcome. What it lacks is a center.
The absence is noticeable.
Hermantown has invested in facilities such as the Essentia Wellness Center, a child care center and a modern hockey arena. The pieces of a community are there. But they do not yet form a cohesive whole. There is no central place that defines Hermantown or signals arrival.
That raises a fundamental question: Is that a problem?
The city functions, and by many measures it functions well. Housing options range from single-family homes to apartments and condominiums. Development continues at a steady pace. Hermantown has built a reputation as a place that welcomes growth, often in contrast to the regulatory environment in Duluth.
Still, the layout can feel fragmented. Growth has occurred incrementally, shaped more by opportunity than by design. Without a defined center, the city can feel less like a unified place and more like a collection of developments.
Several years ago, discussions with city officials explored the idea of creating a recognizable center. Concepts included a visual landmark — perhaps a tower, public art or coordinated streetscape elements such as lighting and flags — that could serve as a focal point. The effort did not advance into a formal plan.
The question remains unresolved.
Some residents may see the lack of a traditional downtown as part of Hermantown’s identity. Growth without rigid structure has worked in other areas. Neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park in Duluth developed organically and later found their identity.
Others may argue that a city of this size benefits from intentional design — a place that anchors the community and creates a shared sense of identity.
Hermantown adopted a new comprehensive plan in 2025, and population projections show continued growth, with increases approaching 20% by 2045. As that growth continues, the issue of direction becomes more pressing.
Should the city define a center? Or should it continue to allow development to shape its identity over time?
The answer may extend beyond Hermantown alone. The region’s communities — Duluth, Hermantown, Proctor, Superior and Rice Lake — are increasingly interconnected. Leaders, including Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert, have emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in areas such as public safety, infrastructure and economic development.
In that context, Hermantown’s identity may not exist in isolation. Its residents work, shop and gather across municipal boundaries. The region already shares systems, from transportation networks to economic ties.
Hermantown continues to grow. Whether it chooses to define a physical center or not, its role within the larger metropolitan area will continue to evolve.
It may be that Hermantown’s center is still taking shape. Or it may be that, in practice, part of that center already exists — just a few miles down the road in downtown Duluth.
