The historic Rock Island Railroad Bridge is set to be transformed into the world's first entertainment district on a bridge, offering a unique public crossing, trailhead and a captivating selection of dining, shopping, and event spaces — all thanks to a collaborative effort between Flying Truss, LLC, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County (UG) and the City of Kansas City, Kansas.
Constructed in 1905 by the American Bridge Company, the Rock Island Railroad Bridge spans the Kansas River and was initially used to transport railroad traffic to and from stockyards before eventually being abandoned.
During a recent presentation hosted by KC Downtowners, Michael Zeller, CEO of Flying Truss, and David Brain, founder of EPR Properties and a lead investor in the project, unveiled their ambitious plans for the bridge's transformation.
The endeavor, which has been in the works for five years, is a result of a collaborative effort by Flying Truss co-founders Zeller, CFO Mike Laddin, and Milhaus VP of Development John McGurk. This public-private-philanthropic partnership aims to breathe new life into the historic structure, which is located in Kansas, a mere 50 feet from the state line and adjacent to the Hy-Vee Arena.
Under a 66-year lease with the UG, the pair plan to transform the Rock Island Railroad Bridge into a trailhead and public crossing. This collaboration aligns with the UG's efforts to develop trails along the levee tops.
The UG is contributing $2 million to the $12 million project, with plans to recoup its investment through the establishment of a Community Improvement District (CID). As the tenant, Flying Truss will be responsible for maintaining the bridge and paying ad valorem taxes and rent.
“There’s even some profit sharing in it for the city. So it’s a win. The city manager said this is the first public infrastructure project he could think of that comes with its own revenue line,” said Zeller.
Zeller said there will be eleven public bathrooms at the trailhead, drinking fountains and seating for 400-500 people. Furthermore, the upcoming Greenline KC trail, designed to encircle downtown Kansas City, Mo., will extend to the Rock Island Bridge, connecting the two regions and enhancing accessibility for visitors.
Work began earlier this month to convert the bridge into an entertainment space, with construction expected to take approximately one year to complete. L.G. Barcus and Sons, Inc., a Kansas City, Kansas-based firm specializing in railroad bridge construction and repair, is handling the initial construction phase. After completing their work, which includes creating a safe pad with railings and installing new steel and concrete decks, Centric will take over to finalize the construction.
Stretching 700 feet in length, the Rock Island Railroad Bridge surpasses the height of the St. Louis Arch. Upon completion, the bridge will boast two decks and an additional 12-foot steel cantilever on each side, offering a total of approximately 32,000 SF of space.
Visitors can look forward to an array of dining options, bars, coffee shops, retail outlets, and event spaces on the bridge. Zeller also mentioned that permanent areas for boating and biking enthusiasts will be available, while the venue could host a variety of events, such as weddings, concerts, seasonal markets, and regattas.
“You can watch the race from above the river. How fun is that with a cocktail in your hand,” said Zeller.
“I guess if there’s a novel idea about this project it is that a bridge can be thought of as land. You can treat it like land. We’re bringing water, sewer, gas, (and) electricity onto the bridge,” he said.
Structural assessments have confirmed the bridge's stability, according to Zeller. He also noted that an estimated $60,000 in deferred maintenance will be required to address any outstanding issues.
“This is a completely unprecedented project. Everybody can walk out onto the bridge and enjoy the view. By virtue of its being outdoors on a river and the four seasons, this probably will operate 9 to 10 months a year. It will by nature of what it is and where it is a changing experience,” Brain said.
According to Brain, the project is the best economic deal he’s seen in a long time.
“Nobody else had any other use for it and really it was so attractive to the public sector to have this activated,” said Brain.
“There are a lot of people who believe in the economic potential of this project, and philanthropy has gotten on board. We have a disbursement fund at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation to contribute toward the 65 percent of this bridge that is the public use unit. It’s mostly a public crossing. It’s not mostly private space,” said Zeller.
Zeller said the investors, who, in addition to Brain, include some of Kansas City’s most prominent entrepreneurs, will be made whole before the Flying Truss founders receive any returns on the project.
“We’re going to learn a lot once we get open out there, and I know we’ll have to make a lot of adjustments, but because the fundamentals are so favorable, it’s going to be hard not to be successful,” said Zeller.
According to Zeller, the brand for the bridge is “local, authentic, and fun.” Zeller said the site will be a big tourist attraction, activate the waterfront and drive a lot of economic development.
“This is arguably the handshake at the border. It’s going to be a celebration of Kansas City,” he said.