Kansas City’s Rock Island Bridge entertainment district delays grand opening

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The highly anticipated Rock Island Bridge entertainment area will not open until Spring.

Developers first said the new coffee shops, bars, restaurants and event space added to the abandoned railroad bridge would open in this summer.

The delays are necessary to make sure things are in place and the grand open goes as smoothly as possible, according to developers.

“Going first is rarely simple or straightforward, and this is compounded by the need to navigate the US Army Corps levee raise going on at both ends of the bridge. But we’re on the 20-yard line, and this gives us the time to ensure everything is running smoothly for our guests, and at a standard that this national-level project requires,” Mike Zeller, CEO.

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Zeller also mentioned that the bridge will close every January and February during Kansas City’s winter. He said developers didn’t want to open businesses on the bridge only to close them a few weeks later for winter.

“This is a barn-raising effort to create something first here in Kansas City, with people from across the community pulling together to get it done. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all this spring – over the river!” Zeller said.

Developers broke ground on the project in May 2023, to turn an abandoned railroad bridge into the new area.

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While the entertainment district won’t officially open until spring, developers said the public will have opportunities to check it out before then.

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