re: Mid City hipsters thought they could stop Jesuit from building a "bridge"

A "private walkway" can't be private if its built over a public thoroughfare. That's why you have public hearings and deal with opposition in a transparent manner. The city allowing a "private" structure over public property without going through the public hearing process sets a precedent and could result in all sorts of "private walkways" in the guise of cantilevered buildings, etc. over roadways.