Gala Marks Opening of Bunker Hill Steps

The long-awaited Bunker Hill Steps, with fountains flowing, were dedicated Wednesday at a gala evening bringing together city dynamos.

“It’s just a wonderful moment,” said Jim Thomas. “I think I’ll just come back and sit for a couple of days and gaze at every little drop of water.”

The steps, located at 633 W. Fifth St. between the towering First Interstate World Center and the 444 S. Flower Building, are part of the Maguire Thomas Partners Library Tower project, which generated $120 million for use in financing the revitalization and expansion of the Central Library.

While the long-defunct Angel’s Flight cable car once connected Bunker Hill Victorian homes with downtown, the steps now unite newer cultural and business edifices on Bunker Hill with the traditional downtown financial district.

Planned by Carolyn DeWald and Joni Smith, the party became the kick-off fund-raiser for the 1991 Music Center Unified Fund Campaign. Music Center Board of Governors Chairman Ron Arnault predicted the steps would become “a treasure for future generations to cherish.”

Cutting inaugural ribbons from a high balcony were Thomas, his partner Rob Maguire, Arnault and Music Center president Esther Wachtell. Design architect Lawrence Halprin and City Council president John Ferraro joined them, overlooking a crowd of 430.

The steps are reminiscent of Rome’s Spanish Steps. Said Halprin, “Yes, this is certainly one of the most significant things I have done, but it is not only the design, but the impact on the city--the begining of pedestrianization and a place to interact.”

Doing that were Ed Carson (his office will be on the 72nd floor), Peter Barker, Ned Fox, Richard Volpert, Norman Mitchell, Charles and Lorna Reed, Timothy and Janet Walker, Susie Maguire, Sandra Thomas, Cornelius and Marjorie Pings, Sandy Mallace, Robin Parsky. Many sat into the night swaying to Flamenco music of guitarist Ottmar Liebert.