44th Ave. East
Waterfront Access Project
Reimagining a Former Industrial Dock as a Public Waterfront
The 44th Avenue East Waterfront Access Project (formerly known as Bunge Dock) is a community effort to reimagine a former industrial dock on Allouez Bay as a safe, welcoming public waterfront space.
Led by the City of Superior, the project is supported by the St. Louis River Alliance, which is helping guide community engagement and public involvement throughout the planning process. With support from a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) planning grant, the City is beginning to explore what the site could become in the future.
Read more about the project on the City of Superior’s website here.
The dock will continue to serve existing users as planning moves forward. The Duluth Power Squadron operates at the site on land owned by BNSF Railway, and the end of the dock is leased to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for rock stockpiling. Because of these ongoing activities, the site will remain a shared-use waterfront.
Together, partners and community members are working to shape a future waterfront that reflects community values, strengthens neighborhood connections, and supports the long-term health of the St. Louis River estuary.
Continue reading to learn about the project and how you can have your voice heard!
About the Project
Located at the end of 44th Avenue East in Superior’s Allouez neighborhood, the project site sits between Superior Harbor and Allouez Bay within the nationally significant St. Louis River Estuary—one of the largest and most ecologically important freshwater estuaries in the Great Lakes.
Historically, this dock supported rail operations, grain handling, and industrial storage connected to the region’s working waterfront. Today, the approximately 22-acre property is largely vacant aside from two areas that are used privately (Duluth Power Squadron) and for industry (Army Corp of Engineers)—see map below.
The undeveloped sections owned by the City of Superior present a rare opportunity to reimagine how this space can reconnect people with the water while respecting its industrial heritage and surrounding uses.
In 2023, the City of Superior purchased the site. The 44th Avenue East Waterfront Access Project now focuses on planning how this former working waterfront pier can become a safe, publicly accessible, and environmentally responsible community space.
Project goals include:
Improving safe public access to the water
Supporting shoreline habitat and ecological health
Creating opportunities for walking, viewing, fishing, and quiet recreation
Strengthening connections between Allouez and Itasca neighborhoods
Contributing to long-term restoration goals for the St. Louis River Area of Concern
Previous environmental assessments determined that the dock slip does not require additional sediment cleanup, allowing planning to focus on access, habitat, and community benefit.
Developing a Vision
With support from a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative planning grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the City of Superior and project partners are beginning a planning and community engagement process for the future of the 44th Avenue East Waterfront site. This phase of the project is focused on understanding opportunities and constraints at the site while gathering community input to help shape a long term vision for public access and future use.
The project is currently in the planning and conceptual design stage only. No construction is funded or proposed as part of this grant. Design work is being led by Stantec, with the goal of developing conceptual alternatives that consider site history, environmental conditions, shoreline access, public use opportunities, and long term feasibility.
Community engagement will play a major role throughout the process. St. Louis River Alliance will facilitate community conversations, field tours, and public input opportunities to better understand how residents, stakeholders, and visitors value the site and what they hope to see in the future. We want your stories and memories of this location! Feedback gathered during this planning effort will help inform future concepts and potential phased implementation opportunities.
While final designs have not yet been determined, early ideas being explored include:
Accessible walking routes, trails, and viewing areas
Small gathering spaces, overlooks, and seating areas
Native shoreline plantings that support habitat, birds, and pollinators
Fishing access and quiet shoreline recreation opportunities
Potential future paddle access, if feasible
Interpretive signage sharing the cultural and working waterfront history of Allouez Bay
Additional community-informed ideas under consideration include expanded access to the bay and nearby restoration areas, birding and habitat-focused spaces, seasonal recreation opportunities, and community gathering areas.
These are early concepts, not final decisions. Ongoing community feedback will play a key role in shaping what the waterfront ultimately becomes.
Project Timeline
2023–2024 Property acquisition, background review, and coordination
2025–2026 EPA-funded planning and community engagement phase
2026 Concept design development and refinement with public input
Future Phases Funding, final design, permitting, and phased construction as resources allow
Current gravel parking lot and Allouez Bay access at 44th Ave. E
Current gravel lot and additional water access at 44th Ave. E
Currently the walking path at 44th Ave. E Waterfront site is closed to the public other than organized community events.
Get Involved
The St. Louis River Alliance is working alongside the City of Superior to help guide community engagement during the project’s planning and design phase. Our role includes hosting community conversations and outreach events, gathering community ideas, stories, and priorities, and sharing project updates and opportunities to get involved.
Event: Old Dock, New Era Field Tour
Thursday, June 18 from 5–6:30 p.m. Join a guided walking tour of the 44th Ave E Dock (formerly Bunge Dock) to explore the site and share ideas for its future. Meet at the dock parking lot, 1 44th Ave E, Superior, WI.
The Future of 44th Ave E Survey
This community-driven project is shaped by the people who live, work, and recreate along the estuary. Your input will help guide the future of waterfront access at 44th Avenue E. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts through our 5–15 minute community survey.
Newsletter Updates
Stay informed about project updates, upcoming events, and other work happening across the St. Louis River Estuary by signing up for the St. Louis River Alliance newsletter.
Stay Connected
City of Superior - Parks, Recreation & Forestry
Phone: 715-395-7270
Email: maruskab@superiorwi.gov
For community involvement opportunities:
St. Louis River Alliance
Email: outreach@stlouisriver.org
Project Partners
Project Lead
Community Engagement
Engineering Designs
Funding Support
The City of Superior received financial support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under an Assistance Agreement for this project.