Former owner Eric Ringsred described the building in its prime.

“There was something endearing about the people that lived there and the building had its own vestiges of magnificence,” Ringsred said. “In its totality, it was just kind of an icon.”

Now, the future of what Ringsred considers an icon is very much in question. Residents of Duluth on scene of the fire Sunday reacted to the flames.

“It’s part of the historic downtown. It’s really too bad it couldn’t have been fixed up,” Shawn Carr of Duluth said.

Jesse Lund of Duluth echoed these words—recalling a time when the building was busy.

“My father used to come here years ago and I remember coming here as a little boy,” Lund said. “It was a pretty popular place back then.”

Founder of the Clayton, Jackson, McGhie memorial, Henry Banks said the building is located in one of the most historically significant spots in all of Duluth. He said he is relieved the damage from the fire didn't extend beyond the building.

“My immediate thought was to make sure hopefully there were no people in the building and that we didn't lose a soul, but also that the memorial is right across the street from this fire,” Banks said. “I'm very happy that the memorial is still okay and that there is no damage or anything from this fire because that could have happened.”

The building has stirred controversy over the years. It was scheduled for demolition this year, but demolition is currently on hold due to a court challenge from Ringsred, who lost ownership after a fire in 2010 left the building uninhabitable and he didn’t have fire insurance to fix it.

"We did have a great alarm system and I thought we were protected, but we weren't, so it could be argued that I wasn't such a good steward, but I did my darnedest and I'm still doing my darnedest,” Ringsred said.

Ringsred has long held the belief the Kozy building should be restored and he has come up with a rehab plan to do so. He shared his plan with WDIO for the first time publicly.

“We spent a lot of resources and time on a rehab plan,” Ringsred said. “It’s really a lovely restoration and we had the wear with all to do it with low income housing tax credits and historic preservation tax credits.”

But, some community members feel differently. Banks said he is opposed to putting more money into the building. Instead, he would like to see it transformed into cultural center for African American people and all people to learn from each other.

“I think this is an opportunity for the city of Duluth, for foundations and other entities to work with and on behalf of the African heritage community to build a cultural center so that the community again can come together and focus on what’s going on right now in America, but what’s going on locally with the African heritage community,” Banks said.

Moving forward, the Duluth City Council is scheduled to vote on the $135,000 contract DEDA approved on November 9th. Ringsred believes the city wanted to see the building burn before that.

“I think the city knew this was a possibility and I think they were hoping it would happen. I hope I'm wrong about that,” Ringsred said.

The City of Duluth declined to respond or comment on Ringsred's claims, but they plan to provide an update Monday.

Ringsred is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone who has information about the cause of the fire.

To see the original report and related stories, follow this link to the WDIO-TV website.  https://www.wdio.com/news/eric-ringsred-former-owner-kozy-apartment-building-/5913047/?cat=10335