Buzz Saw (Jun 06, 2022)

The Rotary Club 13 Buzz Saw

This Week's Meeting

June 9, 2022

Our Speaker this Week is Tom Gerend, Executive Director, KC Streetcar Authority. His topic is: "The Future of the KC Streetcar: to UMKC and Beyond."

On June 16^th, 2014 Tom Gerend was named the first Executive Director of the Kansas City Streetcar Authority (KCSA). Since the public opening of the streetcar system on May 6^th, 2016 the KC Streetcar system has carried over 8 million passenger trips, won numerous state and national awards, and has been credited with stimulating over $3 billion in active economic development in downtown Kansas City. Gerend is currently leading planning on streetcar expansion to the Missouri Riverfront and University of Missouri, Kansas City and actively supporting transit expansion efforts region-wide.

Prior to KCSA, Gerend worked for the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) leading regional transportation planning and public transit coordination across the eight county bi-state Kansas City region. Gerend earned his MBA from the University of Illinois and his undergraduate degree in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University in Ames.

You can watch meetings Live on Facebook @RotaryClub13, Thursdays at Noon.

Last Week's Meeting

Posted by John Gillis

June 2, 2022

President Tony Andresen called the meeting to order and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Scott Holsman provided us with the Boys Scout blessing. Tony welcomed guests and Club Members. Our Greeters were recent new Club members.

Club Anniversaries: Marc Horner (28 yrs, May 26); Fred Drummond (46 yrs, June 1^st); Sean Putney (4 yrs, June 1^st) Bill Madsen (13 yrs, June 4^th) Keith Roney (13 yrs, June 4^th)

Celebration of Life for Dennis O’Dell on June 17^th, 2022 – 4:00 to 7:30 PM – O/Neill’s Restaurant

Announcements:

(1) Geeks for Kids: need some additional folks for Saturday 6/4/2022, the delivery day for the mobility vehicles for challenged young children: see Eric Bubb. Location – Aristocrat Motors – “Porsche” building – west side.

(2) Club 13 Golf Championship – Eric. We have filled up the competition spots. Non-golfing members are encouraged to come out to watch. The competition will continue over several weeks in a playoff fashion.

(3) The Program Committee Meeting is scheduled for June 16^th. If you have any ideas for programs or speakers, please contact the committee or Mandy.

(4) KC Volunteer Appreciation Game – Thursday June 9^th. We also need volunteers to sell hats before the game.

TODAY’S PROGRAM:

Jared Campbell introduced our speakers, Michael Zeller CEO and Mike Laddin, CFO, Flying Truss LLC (operator of the Bridge), regarding the “Rock Island Bridge: America’s First Destination Bridge & Trailhead”. The project is nothing less than America’s First Destination Landmark Bridge, opening August 2023. As an overview: “We are reclaiming the historic Rock Island Railroad Bridge as America’s first entertainment district and community space over a river. The bridge, which straddles the Kansas River at the union of our two Kansas Cities, is being widened to feature a lively mix of entertainment, retail, and community-building activities. The approach is called “infrastructure reuse”, and it often combines participation among the public, private, and philanthropic sectors. As with similar projects such the New York City High Line trail and Navy Pier in Chicago, it’s going to be a big win for everyone involved – a new Kansas City monument for generations to enjoy.”

Engineers have examined the bridge for it’s current sturdiness. The bridge is in great shape for several reasons. Because it was built by the railroad for railroad heavy use only, this railroad bridge was over engineered when built for strength and durability. Also as a railroad bridge, it never had automobile or truck traffic and as a result no salt (the enemy of concrete and steel) was never applied (i.e. no need). So the bridge is in great structural shape. The bridge platform will be cantilevered out to widen to better accommodate restaurants (over the Kansas River) on two levels. The upper level will be for events as well as providing shade for the lower level. There will be biking and hiking trails using the bridge connecting the KCK and KCMO trail systems. This will be America’s first “trailhead” over a river, providing a dismount zone with restrooms, water, seating and parking. This will also provide a Community Zone for nonprofits to help activate the river and trails (boats, bikes, nature and education). As part of the project, the KCK UG will contribute $10 M for levee-top trails and riverfront park, west-side parking and three trails down to floating boat docks on both sides of the river, creating the KC metro’s first consumer waterfront. On the KCMO side there will be a crosswalk to the Hy-Vee Arena and a two-lane cycle track from the WestSide to the Rock Island Bridge trails nexus. As a side note and unconnected financially to the Bridge project, there are three additional apartment building planned for the area near the old Golden Ox restaurant building on the KCMO side.

The Public Benefits include uniting the two Kansas Cities in a joint, friendly, non-competitive project to benefit both. This will improve public health and wellbeing by extending the KCK levee-trails.This will convert blight into a celebration of Kansas City’s Stockyard and Railroad history. We will rediscover the Kansas River for nature, recreation, and economic development along its riverbanks. (Note the Kansas River’s current has only 20% of the Missouri River’s current, so it is safer for boating and related activities.)

The Bridge has already signed letters of intent with best-in-category tenants (Slaps BBQ, Buffalo State Pizza, and a veteran bar owner for all alcohol sales on the bridge). There are spaces for five additional permanent tenants. The Flying Truss LLC will manage the 300 person top-deck event space with an outdoor pre-event area, and a smaller venue on the lower deck. The estimated bridge capacity is 1,000. The bridge is expected to be open from St. Patrick Day through Thanksgiving and Christmas. Flying Truss LLC will program the bridge with a wide array of activities to draw customers day and night (live music, regattas, art fairs, craft beer festivals, etc). Flying Truss LLC also has partnership structures with 90.9 The Bridge (all-music NPR station), Strawberry Swing maker fair, All America Catfish, Quixotic, and the KC Boat Club for regattas.

This will create a regionally-distinctive and unique entertainment district, which will also enhance the metro’s tourism industry.

The Quote of the Day:“A bridge is a meeting place, a possibility, a metaphor” Jeanette Winterson, author.

President Tony Andresen wrapped up the meeting with the Four Way Test.

Dragon Boat Festival

Come cheer on the Club 13 Dragon Boat Team this Saturday! Races start at 10:30 am and may go until 2:00 pm.

Karl Roscoe Obituary

Karl Robert Roscoe Sr., 87, passed away peacefully Sunday June 5, 2022.. He was the owner of Roscoe TV, 74th & Wornall for many years.

Born to Leon and Irene Roscoe October 1934.

He is survived by his wife Kay Roscoe, of the home, son Karl R Roscoe jr (Kathy) Independence, Mo. Daughter Teri Russel (Rick) Raymore, Mo. daughter Pam McQueen. Port Lavaca,Texas, Brother Donald Roscoe (Lucille) Overland Park, Ks and Sister Vivian Ofner, Paola Kansas, Stepson Michael Sherman, Atlanta Georgia, nine grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, one great great grandson and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Leon Roscoe Jr, sister Louise Ofner and son Charles Roscoe.

Attended Westport High School and UMKC. Served 101st Airborne Division of the Army, served on the boards of Ozanam, Art of the Cars Concurs, Mayor's Prayer Breakfast – Breakfast at Eight Breakfast Club, Past President of Kansas City Breakfast Club 1988, Past President Downtown Rotary Club 13 1995-1996, President of of Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas City 2021-2022. Member and past Treasurer for The New Theatre Scholarship Guild, Served as Church Administrator for Wornall Baptist Church for several years. Member of Swope Park Masonic Lodge over fifty years, member of Ararat Shrine Temple, was in the Oriental Band and served as President of the Old Car Unit. He was Past Director of ROJ Court 54. He was awarded Southtowner Man of the Year in 2013. He was the organizer of Operation Airlift for service men and women serving in the Middle East. He did much volunteer work for many different Organizations.

He was an avid Classic Car enthusiast and was especially proud of his 1948 Lincoln Continental Convertible driving it in many parades and for weddings, transporting the new bride and groom to their destination after the ceremony. He was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America.

Services will be at Mount Moriah Newcomer Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd. Kansas City, Mo. Visitation Friday June 10th 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm with the Funeral on Saturday June 11th at 11:00 am.