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If county officials had their way, light rail trains might today be the main users of the Stone Arch Bridge.
But Rep. John Sarna, along with residents and historic preservationists, had a different vision for the Minneapolis landmark. They wanted the former railroad bridge to be repurposed for recreational use so that pedestrians and cyclists could enjoy it and the sweeping views of the Mississippi River, the city skyline and the former mills that once fueled the city s growth.
Sarna helped make that a reality by introducing legislation transferring bridge ownership from the county to the state. Every time I cross the bridge while jogging or biking, I think of John, said former Minneapolis City Council member Joe Biernat. He saw the bridge as the catalyst to revitalization of the riverfront. That s exactly what happened.
Sarna, a Minneapolis legislator who saved the Stone Arch Bridge, dies at 86 msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.