A pubÂlic dedÂiÂcaÂtion is schedÂuled next week for a reÂfurÂbished bridge honoring formÂer MinÂneÂapÂolis MayÂor SharÂon Sayles BelÂton.
The span that carÂries 3rd Avenue S. over InÂterÂstate 94 just south of downÂtown will be dediÂcatÂed TuesÂday as the "SharÂon Sayles BelÂton Bridge."
As part of the fesÂtiviÂties, a sculpÂture will be cerÂeÂmoÂniÂalÂly lit on the plaza at the north end of the bridge. The bridge's renÂoÂvaÂtion inÂcludes resÂtoÂraÂtion of the colÂored sideÂwalk, mainÂteÂnance of the bridge faÂcade and railÂing, and an upÂgradÂing of fixÂtures to enÂerÂgy-efÂfiÂcient LED lights.
The wovÂen metal sculpÂture, tiÂtled "BeaÂcon," was creÂatÂed by JaÂnet Lofquist. The city deÂscribes it as symÂbolÂizÂing "how the frameÂwork of the comÂmuniÂty and its resiÂdents come toÂgether to form the fabÂric of a viÂbrant city. The sculpÂture's shinÂy steel surÂface is also ilÂlumiÂnatÂed from the inÂside, creÂatÂing a moÂsaic of chanÂging light, patÂtern and color."
The 7 p.m. eÂvent will inÂclude a live musiÂcal perÂformÂance by LarÂry Long, Robert RobÂinÂson, J.D. Steele and Tonia Hughes.
Sayles BelÂton was mayÂor from 1994 to 2001. She was the city's first feÂmale mayÂor and first black resÂiÂdent to hold the ofÂfice. BeÂfore beÂcomÂing mayÂor, she repÂreÂsentÂed the 8th Ward on the City Council for 10 years, the last three as counÂcil presÂiÂdent.
Paul Walsh