KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After years of delays, part of the Rock Island Bridge in the West Bottoms is set to open next month, bringing the world’s first entertainment and restaurant district built on a bridge to the Kansas City metro.
The transformation of the 120-year-old railroad bridge into an entertainment hub has been a long-awaited project, with construction initially slated to finish in Spring 2023. However, funding issues and construction delays pushed the timeline back.
Flying Truss, the company behind the project, is investing $16 million to revitalize the double-decker bridge, which will feature a restaurant, event space, trails and bars equipped to hold about 1,900 people at a time.
The Rock Island Bridge, once a vital rail link from Kansas City, Kansas, to the Stockyards in the West Bottoms, has been unused for decades. Its redevelopment marks the first time an old railroad bridge has been repurposed into an entertainment district.
The new project will feature a restaurant called “River House” on the first floor, serving Kansas City-style comfort food. The top level will be available for rent as an event space.
Additionally, there will be a number of bars, as well as trails for walking, running and biking for visitors to enjoy.
The Kansas City Business Journal reported that part of the bridge is expected to open in mid-November, with the entrance on the West Bottoms side nearing completion. However, the entrance on the KCK side will not be finished until next year.
The bridge is anticipated to receive an occupancy permit next month, although specific details about which parts will be open remain unclear.
As the first bridge-turned-entertainment district in the world, the Rock Island Bridge is poised to become a unique destination for locals and visitors alike. Despite the delays, the project promises to offer a vibrant new space for community engagement and recreation.
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