Walnut Street Stairway

FAQs

1. What is the history of the stairway?

   James J. Hill constructed the stairway in the early 1900s in exchange for the City vacating the southern parts of the Walnut Street right of way to his property at 260 Summit Avenue. The stairway cuts between two walls. To the north, Hill had constructed a massive stone retaining wall which marked the south property line of his residence at the time (now known as the “James J. Hill House” and managed by the Minnesota Historical Society).  To the south, Hill constructed the stairway and a brick wall, and later built a second family residence on the adjoining south property at 260 Summit Avenue.

   

   Figure 1 – Photograph of Walnut Street right of way, taken around 1895.  James J. Hill House is shown on right.

   Over the decades, portions of the Walnut Street Stairway were repaired, modified, and reconstructed.  Additional stairs were added with the development of I-35E.  Today, the Walnut Street Stairway system is the tallest (around 150 feet) and longest (around 550 feet) in the City. 

   

   Figure 2 – Photograph of Walnut Street right of way, taken around 1895.  James J. Hill House is shown on right.

   In addition to size, other challenges increase the cost and complexity of the stairs.  These include narrow right of way, limited site access, overhead utilities, age and adjacency of walls and buildings, and unstable bluff geology. 

2. How was the stairway and wall system originally built?

   A brick wall was built parallel to the in-place limestone block wall of the historic James J. Hill House.  Soil was filled between the two walls to the height of the stairs.  Large limestone blocks were set for steps and landings, and notched into the brick wall.  The brick wall was then extended upwards to provide a privacy wall.  

   The lower retaining wall portion supports the stairway.  The stair parts support the upper privacy wall portion.  In this way, the walls and stairs are connected, and one cannot be repaired or replaced without affecting the other.  

   

   Figure 3 – Image labeling the parts of the public stairway and wall system with a detail showing the sandstone slab/brick wall connection.

   

   Figure 4 – Photograph labeling the parts of the public stairway and wall system.

3. Why is the stairway closed?

   In October 2020, the City closed the Walnut Street stairway to the public following a partial collapse of the south brick wall.  The 2020 collapse was localized to the upper "privacy" portion of brick wall above the level of the steps.  However, a substantial portion of the lower brick wall (beneath the level of the steps) is in a similar state of failure and lacks the structural integrity necessary to retain soils or support the stair system.  

   The City will not open the stairway system until it is safe to do so for public use.

4. Can the stairway be repaired?

   Based on field investigation and analysis, the City has determined that the stairway cannot be repaired and must be replaced. Public Works continues to monitor the condition of the stairway and wall system. The City is considering several replacement options.

5. How much will the stairs cost to replace?

   The cost for this project will be very dependent on the type of structure(s) that will eventually be built. No design or engineering work has been performed; however, a very preliminary estimated cost to rebuild the walls and stairs “in-kind” (meaning using similar materials such as stone, concrete and brick) could range between $7-9 million. A more modern steel staircase would be less expensive. Regardless of stairway type, the project must perform all work inside an extremely confined site with limited access, which drives up cost.  A replacement project would: 

   1. Protect adjacent properties from construction-related damage,
   2. Remove the existing upper brick (privacy) wall, lower brick (retaining) wall, and stairway system,
   3. Stabilize the erosive slope, and
   4. Construct a new stairway system to last 50-75 years.

   To put cost in perspective, $7-9 million is roughly equivalent to:

   • The current phase of Capitol City Bikeway.  The 2023 project will extend the downtown bikeway about 1/2 mile through downtown, from Jackson Street to St. Peter Street. 

   • Two years of the City's residential Mill & Overlay program.  About 10 miles of residential road could be resurfaced for the cost of an "in-kind" stairway replacement project.

   • Thirty (30) years of funding towards the City's annual program to manage and replace public stairways. The next stairway programmed for reconstruction is Bancroft Stairway, located near Caesar Chavez Boulevard and Robert Street.

6. What is the timeline for reconstruction?

   No timeline has been established for this project. The stairway and wall system reconstruction design must be determined and funding secured before a project timeline can be finalized. The stairway will remain closed until it is safe to reopen to the public.