44th Ave. East Dock on Allouez Bay: Community Outreach to Come!
The St. Louis River Alliance is excited to partner with the City of Superior to help lead community outreach for the 44th Ave East Dock Site (also known as Bunge Dock) along Allouez Bay in Superior, Wisconsin.
This waterfront property has a long industrial history but also holds exciting potential for future public access to the St. Louis River Estuary. Through a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) planning grant, the City of Superior is beginning the process of studying what the site could become in the future.
Importantly, the dock continues to support existing users. 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 space as planning moves forward.
From Working Waterfront to Community Vision
Located at the end of 44th Avenue East, the dock sits between Superior Harbor and Allouez Bay—part of the St. Louis River Estuary, one of the largest and most ecologically significant freshwater estuaries in the Great Lakes. The area historically supported rail operations, grain handling, and industrial storage tied to the region’s working waterfront.
Today, the property is largely vacant and undeveloped, offering an opportunity to explore how this space could reconnect people with the water while respecting its current uses.
The project aims to explore ways to improve safe public access to the waterfront, enhance shoreline habitat, and strengthen neighborhood connections while supporting the long-term health of the St. Louis River Area of Concern.
Planning First — Construction Later
The current phase of the project is focused on planning and design, not construction.
The GLRI-funded effort supports:
Site inventory and environmental data collection
Public engagement and community outreach
Development of conceptual design options
Engineering designs and construction-ready plans
These steps will prepare the City to pursue funding for potential future construction. A final design could be completed by 2028, with any physical improvements occurring in later phases if funding becomes available.
Community Voices Will Shape the Vision
Public engagement will play a central role in this process. The St. Louis River Alliance will work with the City and project partners to gather community input through outreach events and engagement opportunities over the coming years.
Ideas currently being explored include possibilities such as:
Increased access to Allouez Bay and nearby restoration areas
Fishing, paddling, boating, and seasonal ice access
Trails, seating areas, and scenic overlooks
Birding and habitat spaces
Community gathering areas and interpretive signage
These are potential concepts, not final decisions. Community feedback will help guide which ideas move forward.
Learn More
To learn more about the project, view updates, and find future engagement opportunities, visit the City of Superior’s project page:
Learn More About the 44th Avenue East Waterfront Project
As planning continues, the St. Louis River Alliance looks forward to working with residents, neighbors, river users, and partners to imagine what the future of this waterfront space could be. Sign-up for our newsletter for updates: www.stlouisriver.com/enewsletter
