Willis v. City of Des Moines

SCHULTZ, Justice.

The City of Des Moines operates a pedestrian walkway system (skywalk) in its downtown area which is connected to many buildings containing private businesses. This appeal arises from an action by a group of unhappy taxpayers and residents which sought a declaratory judgment against the City regarding the meaning of the city ordinance creating the skywalk system and the resulting contracts with owners of connected business properties (private sector). The private sector intervened on behalf of the City. The plaintiffs then amended their petition to include the intervenors as…