1.    The governing body of any city may by resolutions create a special improvement district, order and approve plans and specifications, determine the necessity, advertise and enter contracts, issue special improvement warrants and bonds, and levy special assessments for the improvement of one or more streets within its central business district to be regulated and maintained as a mall for primarily pedestrian use, or for the construction of skyways within its central business district, in the manner and upon the terms and conditions set forth in chapters 40-22 to 40-27, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

2.    For the purposes of this chapter:

a.    “Pedestrian mall” means a street within a city designated by the governing body and improved to encourage a high concentration of pedestrian use.

b.    “Skyway” means an overhead walkway, whether open or enclosed, allowing pedestrian traffic between buildings separated by a street, and includes all corridors, passageways, methods of ingress and egress, and other appurtenances necessary for an integrated and connected system.