When the in-the-works Rock Island Bridge opens in 2024, the hulking infrastructure renewal undertaking will develop into Kansas Metropolis’s — and America’s — first “vacation spot landmark bridge,” stated Mike Zeller.

And the trouble pointedly capitalizes on one of many metro’s most missed property: its rivers.

“We’re possibly the most important river city in America that hasn’t actually discovered the right way to get our arms round our rivers,” stated Zeller, CEO of Flying Truss, which is main the Rock Island Bridge undertaking — a public-private partnership that additionally faucets into philanthropic and company funding.

This historic railroad bridge will likely be reimagined as a gathering house and leisure hub with music, eating, espresso outlets, bars, trailhead providers, and extra. It’s anticipated to boast 35,000 sq. ft of usable house — all elevated 40 ft above the Kansas River.

New cantilevers and bumpouts add vital stretches of “land” alongside the bridge’s 702-foot size, making the construction longer than the St. Louis Arch is tall.

“It’s a public crossing, a path, and it’s additionally a neighborhood house,” Zeller stated. “It’ll have seating for a whole lot of individuals, folks can come out right here and collect sort of like Union Station.”

Picture courtesy of Flying Truss

Inbuilt 1905 by the Rock Island Railroad for transporting livestock and freight, the bridge has been out of service because the Nineteen Seventies.

Click on right here to learn extra concerning the historical past of the bridge.

The Rock Island Bridge undertaking — within the West Bottoms, close to the Hy-Vee Enviornment — goals to not solely reactivate the bridge, however use the construction as a catalyst for financial improvement and revitalization alongside the waterfront, in addition to a way to bodily join Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, and Kansas Metropolis, Kansas.

Rock Island Bridge, November 2023; picture by Taylor Wilmore, Startland Information

A time out on the bridge

The redevelopment undertaking is predicted to supply the nation’s first leisure district on a bridge by including outlets and eating places overlooking the river, with a pedestrian path connecting to Kansas levee-trails system and the Greenline Path.

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“What are you able to do for leisure? The reply is, Saturday morning, possibly fishing catfish, and, Saturday afternoon, possibly the farmers market, or doing one thing else on Saturday night time downstairs, whereas there’s a marriage upstairs and dwell music,” stated Mike Laddin, CFO of Flying Truss.

Rock Island Bridge rendering; picture courtesy of Flying Truss

Rock Island Bridge rendering; picture courtesy of Flying Truss

Flying Truss is also collaborating with such neighborhood and enterprise companions as Brad McDonald with ZipKC, who plans to construct towers for actions like zip lining throughout the river.

“You may hire kayaks and canoes down right here. So, you can present up on Saturday morning with 10 of your folks after which go as much as Bonner Springs,” stated Zeller. “You may zip up there after which get within the river and paddle down, and have dinner right here and catch a live performance. We don’t should drive to the Ozarks.”

Free Wheels for Youngsters, a company devoted to getting extra youngsters on bikes extra usually and safely, may also be positioned and working on the bridge, he stated.

“They educate youngsters the right way to repair bikes, give them free bikes, and arrange bike rides. They wish to have a motorcycle check-out right here,” stated Zeller. “It’ll assist activate the paths.”

Levee trails alongside the Kansas River waterfront, close to the Rock Island Bridge, November 2023; picture by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland Information

Boosting native financial system

This bridge is projected to carry a rising tide to Wyandotte County economically, Zeller stated.

Flats below building alongside the Kansas River waterfront, close to the Rock Island Bridge, November 2023; picture by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland Information

“The Unified Authorities will get an exquisite connector for his or her trails,” he stated, noting Japanese Wyandotte County features extra leisure choices by means of the trouble, in addition to a monetary increase.

“In a number of communities which have entry to outside actions, revenue goes up, their well being goes up, crime goes down, households are extra steady,” stated Zeller.

“The burden [for maintaining Rock Island Bridge as an asset] doesn’t return to the taxpayers,” he continued. “With a few of the income from the enterprise, we clear and care for the decks and clear the loos. It’s self supporting.”

The enterprise yields returns for buyers, whereas additionally offering a singular addition to Wyandotte County and the broader Kansas Metropolis metropolitan space, activating the riverfront and standing as a pioneering undertaking on a world scale, Zeller stated.

Watch a video from Flying Truss under concerning the Rock Island Bridge, then maintain studying.



Rock Island Bridge, November 2023; picture by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland Information

Rock Island Bridge, November 2023; picture by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland Information

Nationwide consideration

Laddin highlighted the Rock Island Bridge’s inclusion in a latest Lonely Planet journey characteristic as notable nationwide recognition for the bridge. The journey information designates Kansas Metropolis as certainly one of simply two must-visit cities in america, partially due to the forthcoming Rock Island Bridge opening.

Click on right here to take a look at Lonely Planet’s pitch for touring to Kansas Metropolis.

“It’s not solely going to be a regional finest metropolis vacation spot, It’s going to be nationwide. Persons are going to learn the Lonely Planet about what we’re doing,” stated Laddin. “We’re going to be a World Cup watch station, and, relying upon who the international locations are, we’ll fly their flags.”

Flying Truss is at the moment promoting as much as $2 million in fairness to certified buyers.

“It may be used for train, and outside recreation, and it prompts an vital useful resource that we have now,” stated Laddin. “We don’t have mountains and lakes, however we have now this cool river.”