Following several months of ongoing communications between the city’s Community Development Department and the Hyland Village community, and informed by a considerable amount of community feedback, the city’s Development Review Committee decided not to move forward with a proposed pedestrian bridge that would have connected the Hyland Village community to the Westfield Shopping Center to the south. Hyland Village is located near 97th St. and Sheridan Blvd.

This decision also includes the removal of the pedestrian bridge from the Official Development Plan and additional processes to be completed soon.

A substantial majority of Hyland Village community members shared concerns that the proposed bridge may have resulted in negative impacts on their community, including increased risk of crime, litter concerns, wildlife impacts and potential unwanted foot traffic from the retail area.

Staff coordinated and facilitated several opportunities for community members to provide valuable feedback and opinions. These efforts culminated with a community town hall meeting in November 2019 and an online feedback survey in January 2020.

The community voices and input provided through these and other communications proved to be crucial to informing the city’s decision and next steps.

The Community Development Department is very pleased to have had the opportunity to listen to and work with the Hyland Village community, a shared dialogue over many months that ultimately provided real solutions to the community’s voiced concerns.