Maintain the St. Anthony bricks, readers say
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Main Street in good shape in 2018, a couple years after a major repair to the bricks. Photo: Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images
Keep St. Anthony Main charming, even if it means bumpy streets, Axios Twin Cities readers say.
Driving the news: We asked readers last week what the city of Minneapolis should do about deteriorating bricks on Main Street between Hennepin and Sixth avenues.
The big picture: Most of you said the city should keep the bricks and not pave the historic street with smoother concrete or asphalt.
State of the pavement: As some of our readers pointed out, the six blocks aren't technically cobblestone since they're not naturally rounded stones.
- They're a combination of granite blocks and concrete pavers that resemble bricks, according to the city. They were installed in 1991 and 2001.
- The granite pavers aren't showing wear, but the city in 2016 replaced most of the concrete pavers that had deteriorated since their installation, spokesperson Allen Henry wrote in an email. Those are the ones that are falling apart again.
What they're saying: Jack B. works in St. Anthony Main and intentionally walks on the street. He, like many, loves the charm.
- "Let's invest in this historic area of town the way other cities have, like Omaha's Old Market," he wrote. "For once, let's forego practicality in the spirit of preservation and, yeah, a little bit of fun."
Between the lines: Another reason many like the bricks is that the bumpy surface slows down traffic.
- An often cited study from Winter Park, Fla., found that installing bricks decreased vehicle traffic by 29% and decreased average speeds from 41 mph to 29 mph.
- Some readers would like to see vehicles banned altogether to make Main a pedestrian-only street.
The other side: North Looper Sue D.'s husband had a bike accident on the uneven street, and she would like to see pavement to make it safer.
- Stephen J. of Northeast has an idea to split the difference. "I'd love to see the brick road preserved, but maybe widen the shared path to be more bike-friendly."
The bottom line: For now, this debate is academic. The city doesn't have plans for a major repair.
- "Currently, the street is maintained using available resources and budget," Henry said.