These stairs provide a connection through the median/retaining wall in the middle of San Marcos Avenue between the stairway up to 9th Avenue and the stairway down to Castenada.

In 2014, the retaining wall next to the stairs was rebuilt to increase its height. This was the first part of a project to build a concrete barrier along the upper half of San Marcos to replace the metal railings that had previously been the only barrier along the median. The steps themselves and their concrete railing were then rebuilt in 2016 or 2017.

As of early 2022, the retaining wall and new railing have yet to be repainted to match the rest of the stairs, leaving the stairs with an unfinished, under construction look.