The spot that has become the city's soapbox could soon be off-limits to rowdy teens and government dissenters.

A majority of City Council members said they will likely vote to give the public sidewalk fronting BayWalk to its owners to make the struggling downtown entertainment complex more attractive to tenants and visitors.

The measure is part of a $700,000 effort to bolster security and upgrade the sidewalks and other areas around BayWalk, once a symbol of downtown's potential and economic viability. Mayor Rick Baker says a key part of the plan is privatizing the public sidewalk bordering BayWalk's front entrance to bar frequent protests that some say have hurt business.

Times file photo