Walnut Street Steps: A 2026 Bonding Priority for Saint Paul

For more than a century, the Walnut Street Steps provided a daily path between Summit Avenue and the West 7th neighborhood. Built in 1908, the stairway linked homes, jobs, parks, and downtown—quietly stitching together two parts of the city across the bluff. Since its closure in 2020 due to structural failure, its absence has been deeply felt. 

Now, there is meaningful momentum toward restoring this historic connection. The Walnut Street Steps project will be included among the City of Saint Paul’s priorities for the 2026 state capital bonding request—an important step forward in making rehabilitation possible. 

What Is State Bonding? 

In Minnesota, “bonding” refers to the state’s capital investment process. Every two years, the Minnesota Legislature considers a capital budget bill that allows the state to issue general obligation bonds—essentially long-term borrowing for public infrastructure. Bonding is reserved for publicly owned projects with a clear public purpose and a long useful life, such as parks, trails, bridges, and civic structures. 

To be approved, bonding bills must receive a supermajority vote in both legislative chambers and be signed by the Governor. Because of this high threshold, projects included in a bonding bill must demonstrate strong public benefit, readiness, and broad support. 

For a city project, being included in Saint Paul’s official bonding priorities means the City is prepared to advocate for it at the Legislature. It places the project among the community’s most important capital needs. 

A Collaborative Effort 

The Walnut Street Steps effort is the result of collaboration among the City of Saint Paul, Rethos, the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, and the West 7th/Fort Road Federation Neighborhood Association. Together, these partners have worked to assess conditions, engage neighbors, and build a thoughtful plan for reconstruction. 

Inclusion in the City’s 2026 bonding request reflects confidence that restoring the steps is both feasible and worthy of state investment. While the precise amount of the request is still being determined, bonding support is expected to serve as a cornerstone of a broader public–private funding strategy, helping leverage additional grants and philanthropic contributions. 

A Lasting Public Investment 

State bonding is more than a funding tool—it is a statement that a project matters to Minnesota’s shared civic life. By elevating the Walnut Street Steps within its 2026 legislative priorities, the City of Saint Paul has affirmed the importance of reconnecting this historic pedestrian route. 

With continued partnership and community support, the 2026 legislative session offers a real opportunity to restore the Walnut Street Steps—strengthening neighborhood connections and honoring a piece of Saint Paul’s living history for generations to come.