KANSAS CITY (June 14, 2023) — Lathrop GPM LLP is proud to announce that partners Michael J. Abrams, Paul McKie Lewis and Patricia Garringer-Strickland participated in a recent groundbreaking ceremony for the Rock Island Bridge project. The project will convert the historic Rock Island Bridge into a first-of-its-kind entertainment district, scheduled to open in Spring 2024.

“It’s been an honor to work on this project alongside my talented Lathrop GPM colleagues,” said Abrams, who hammered a golden spike at the ceremony. “This bridge helped build the Kansas City economy during its time as a railroad and will now continue to do so for future generations.”

The Lathrop GPM team, including Abrams, Lewis, Garringer-Strickland, Brad P. Johnson, and Kyle Hertel, negotiated multiple contracts, assisted with platting and title work, and laid the groundwork for the project’s successful $5.5 million in private investments.

Once completed, the Rock Island Bridge will have two stories, host bars, coffee shops and trailhead services, and include 65% dedicated public open-access space. It is scheduled to open as America’s first entertainment district on a bridge during the spring of 2024.

The infrastructure renewal project involves the public, private, philanthropic and corporate sectors of Kansas City and has been invited to join the prestigious High Line Network, a working think-tank for America’s top infrastructure reuse projects. Learn more about the project at https://rockislandkc.com/.