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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Take down all the metal canopies in downtown Kirksville: that's the recommendation of the local canopy committee.
Business and property owners downtown were recently informed that the committee voted 4-1 to recommend to the city council that all of the metal canopies be removed from the downtown area.
KTVO obtained a copy of the letter sent to downtown business owners. it states that the canopy committee believes removal of the awnings is the best option for the safety, aesthetics and economic vitality of the downtown area, and in the best interest of the citizens of Kirksville.
Jan Collins, who is a business owner and a member of the canopy committee, voted in favor of removing the existing canopies.
"I would like to see it restored to the original storefronts so we can have 'historic downtown Kirksville,'" Collins said.
"I would say the majority are opposed to the awnings coming down, but I don't think that's really been particularly a concern of the city. They've decided they want them down, and that's the way it's going to be," said Rosalie Caldwell, a downtown business owner.
Caldwell and her husband have had a business in downtown Kirksville for 11 years, and they oppose the proposal to take down the canopies.
Collins told KTVO she doesn't believe the canopy removal would hurt business downtown.
The final decision is up to the Kirksville City Council. Members are expected to discuss the canopy committee's recommendation at their scheduled study session Tuesday, February 26.
