Built in 1929 or 1930 when the Bernal Cut was widened and San Jose Avenue (Then known as Bernal Avenue) was extended through it. The south end of the Roanoke Street pedestrian bridge, built decades later, comes down directly above the bottom of the stairs.

In 2023, an empty lot at the end of Cuvier Street was transformed into Cuvier Commons, a small park below the pedestrian bridge. A mural depicting the historical view down Cuvier Street was also painted on the retaining wall by artist Amos Goldbaum.