Casino gives $2 million to KC's Riverfront Heritage Trail

According to a KCStar article:

Ameristar Kansas City Casino and Hotel has agreed to donate $2 million to help complete the Riverfront Heritage Trail bicycle and walking path along the Missouri River. . . .

The Port Authority and other local backers envision that the estimated $32 million network of trails someday will link Kansas City’s scenic Cliff Drive on the east to points in Kansas City, Kan., on the west.

Much of it, including the Port Authority’s river walk in Berkley Park, already is built and is in use.

More than $9 million is still needed to complete the system, said Darby Trotter, president of Kansas City River Trails Inc., which has spearheaded the project.

The casino’s gift to the Port Authority is earmarked for construction of a safe pedestrian passage beneath the ASB Bridge, said Steve Rinne, acting director of the Port Authority.

Rinne said Monday’s special meeting was necessary to approve Ameristar’s $2 million donation to qualify the casino for $1 million in state Transportation Development tax credits that expire this year.

Parts of the casino’s initial 10-year development agreement with the city also expire this year.

The Riverfront Heritage Trail is mostly complete now but a few difficult, key connections are still missing--which greatly reduces the utility of the entire corridor, which is designed to connect downtown Kansas City, Missouri, with downtown Kansas City, Kansas.

The trail link under the ASB rail line and bridge will fix one of the most vital missing connections in the trail.

The other important missing link, through Kansas City's West Bottoms, is slated to be completed by Summer 2007.

See a map of the trail system here.