New projects revitalizing St. Anthony

St. Anthony is a growing town, and that means the need for new projects.

A new pedestrian bridge follows an update to 12th Street West. That remodel added a walking path on the side of the road.

“Pedestrians would have to step back out in to the lane of traffic to get over the canal. So that spurred the idea, let’s put in a bridge, a pedestrian-type crossing,” said Neils Thueson, mayor of St. Anthony.

The bridge leads to the city ball park, which draws many people to that area.

The bridge is only a few weeks old, and it’s already rusting. It is actually supposed to; it will turn a dark shade of brown, and then will need little maintenance.

The foot bridge was funded by grant money leftover from the 12th Street West improvements. There is a clear line on the road where that project ended. The city secured a grant to make over Main Street West starting in 2016.

“It will be total reconstruction. New asphalt, new curbs and gutters, sidewalks on both sides, and street lighting will all be part of that project,” said Mayor Thueson

Up the street toward town, some old storefronts on Bridge Street are being redone.

David Holladay is one of the owners of a property on the corner. During the remodel, he discovered tile that had been covered up by an awning.

Paul Allen works across the street at Fall’s Drug. He is happy to see that Holladay is keeping the tile.

“It’s a good thing that they have been able to restore the beauty and the tile work that’s been covered up by plain old aluminum,” said Allen.

The mayor said he was delighted to see painting underway.

“That makes a big difference, that makes the whole community look better. I would hope that more storefront owners do the same thing.”

The city is limited in what it can do because of private ownership.

Mayor Thueson said that St. Anthony’s budget is in good shape. The new projects are mostly being funded by grants.