Kansas City planning officials want more details about what it would mean for the city to give up control of public sidewalks in the Country Club Plaza to a private company.
Gillon Property Group, the firm that owns much of the Plaza, has asked the city to vacate public sidewalks in the historic shopping district’s core, meaning Gillon would take responsibility for their maintenance and for making improvements, such as adding benches and public art.
It would also allow Gillon to boost private security enforcement on the sidewalks. Pedestrians would have 24/7 access unless roads or sidewalks are closed for emergencies, construction or a special event.
The proposal does not include the sidewalks along Ward Parkway and Mill Creek Parkway, which are under parks department control. The city would still have access for utilities, traffic signal equipment and the like…