Construction by abutting owner; request to city, when

Nothing herein shall prohibit the owner of property abutting on a street who desires to construct or reconstruct a sidewalk from doing so without any petition or condemning resolution, if the owner does so at the owner's own expense and in accordance with official plans and specifications and meets such other requirements as would have to be met if the sidewalk were constructed or reconstructed by the city: Provided, That if such property owner desires the walk to be constructed or reconstructed by the city and an assessment levied as provided in other cases, the owner shall file a request with the governing body and it may in its discretion provide for the construction or reconstruction of the sidewalk in the same manner as in cases where citizens or taxpayers file petitions.