At 700 feet long and more than 35,000 square feet of space, the infrastructure reuse project offers something for everyone: Grab lunch or dinner at the River House restaurant (a menu Zeller calls “Midwest lake house meets coastal smokehouse”), or snag a bite to go at the walk-up window. Enjoy a local beer or cocktail on the patio or at the 50-foot bar; explore the farmers market or a maker fair; or take in some live music in one of three separate venues. The second floor is home to American Royal Hall, an event space for up to 300 people with scenic views of the river and both sides of the state line.

Now serving as CEO of Rock Island Bridge, Zeller says he’s still not even sure how he ended up in the position.

“Looking back, nothing in my life would suggest I would lead a project like this,” he says. “It was kind of harrowing starting a beginning without knowing what the end looked like, but it all worked out.”

With help from Dennis Strait, principal emeritus at then-Gould Evans (now Multistudio), the design not only honors local history but also embraces the authenticity, legacy, and engineered elegance of the century-old craftsmanship. The new additions introduce a modern edge to the bridge’s industrial heritage, showcasing the timeworn, weathered steel, exposed trusses, and utilitarian geometry. From the bar foot rail, constructed from the actual steel track that traversed the bridge, to the exposed lift gates and sepia-toned historical photos, little touches connect visitors to an authentic expression of a city that owes so much to its waterways.

“We’re a big river town, but nowhere in Kansas City is the history of our rivers and bridges celebrated. Nobody here has that theme,” Zeller says. “This is that place.”