Wallace street gets national recognition

WALLACE - Bank Street is not your average street.

It's great.

The American Planning Association's recently designated Bank Street as one of 10 Great Streets for 2010 under the organization's Great Places in America program.

Wallace Mayor Dick Vester said this designation will continue efforts to put the small, historical city on the map for tourists as it showcases its attractions and historical highlights.

"We can use this to show what a great place Wallace is," Vester said.

More than 200 streets were submitted to the APA to be considered for the national designation. The organization was looking for exceptional character, highlighting the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value.

What made Bank Street stand out was the town's stance against a federal proposal to turn the street into a portion of Interstate 90, thereby preserving its late 19th and early 20th century historic character. The effort, led by Wallace resident Harry Magnuson, became a success when in 1991 the interstate was routed on an overpass around Wallace.

A parade on Bank Street to honor the designation is scheduled at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The town will be awarded an official certificate, followed by a speeches and music.