Spring Hill staff and council members spent significant time on May 8 reviewing a citywide sidewalk strategy drawn from a 2020 Bike Walk KC study and more recent field observations. Staff recommended a phased approach that targets lower-cost, high-connectivity segments in the historic downtown core first and tackles larger, drainage- and right-of-way-constrained corridors later.

Public Works presenter Jake Spear reviewed the 2020 study map and highlighted near-term priorities and the constraints that complicate downtown sidewalk installation: narrow street rights-of-way (some as narrow as 30-35 feet), open drainage ditches, lack of curb-and-gutter and underground storm piping, and mature trees and utility poles that occupy the available space. "If we don't have that right of way... we're talking about trying to secure easements from individual property owners and that becomes more expensive," Spear said.

Spear proposed beginning with city-owned parcels and other low-obstacle locations to create a "backbone" of connectivity that could build public momentum for expansion. One specific near-term option that drew council support was extending sidewalks on Spring Street to connect existing sidewalk segments and provide safer pedestrian routes to schools and to East-West connections. Staff used an order-of-magnitude cost of about $100 per linear foot for a 4-foot sidewalk (rough estimate for budgeting) and presented example estimates: about 1,700 linear feet near City Hall at roughly $172,500 and a 5,000-foot stretch of Washington Street at roughly $500,000.

Council members discussed South Street as a major safety concern for students but agreed South Street likely requires curb-and-gutter, storm sewer work and a larger investment and should be pursued through higher-value grants such as SS4A. Several council members said a Spring Street extension would provide immediate safer connections that could serve as an alternative route for students until larger projects are funded.

No ordinance or funding motion was made at the meeting; staff was directed to continue pursuing grants and to return with project-cost details, communication plans and potential grant matches.