Bridging Concerns

About two years ago my wife and I were southbound on the Paseo Bridge over the Missouri River on I-35, very slowly southbound, like almost not moving at all southbound.

What was unusual—and unnerving—that day was that the bridge deck seemed to be bouncing a foot or so. I do understand that bridges are designed to “give,” but not this much.

While still on the bridge I called an old acquaintance, Henry Hungerbeeler, then Director of MoDOT. He was the one person who could advise me to either be patient or to get out of the vehicle and run like hell.

After a painfully long wait on hold, KC District Manager Sabin Yanez took my call, and we discussed the issue.

“Sabin, the bridge deck is bouncing up and down approximately a foot or so and I am not a great swimmer,” I said. The traffic fortunately eased after a while, and we got off the bridge pronto.

As it happens, the next day, the Paseo Bridge received what was reported as a routine inspection and soon after closed for many months of needed repairs.

I doubt I was the only one to voice concerns with the bridge that day but our call may have helped to prevent a situation like the tragic disaster in Minneapolis.

Since that time, MoDOT and state officials appear to be taking safety and maintenance much more seriously.   

Bridging Juristictions

Bridges join but bridges also separate. In our position at Ingram’s we have seen the truth of that axiom in our work with city and county officials in the various political jurisdictions that make up our metro and greater region.

To be sure, officials would not be doing their job if they didn’t work for their jurisdiction’s interests, but often those interests conflict with the interests of their neighbors or even of a larger jurisdiction to which the smaller one belongs.

Kansas City’s Northland is a pretty good example of dual allegiances. One reason that the Northland has developed as well as it has is because of the willing collaboration among civic leadership and the various cities and counties that make up the Northland—Kansas City, Missouri included.

At one point, this collaboration was defensive. The Northland just wanted to be acknowledged and included. Now, the Northland has gone on the offensive. It has a growing population and some momentum to perhaps take the lead.

The challenge now for the Northland is to take the rest of Kansas City with it. South of the river citizens assume their primary identity as residents of Kansas City and only secondarily do they think of themselves as residents of a section, say Waldo or Brookside.

North of the river, Kansas City residents tend to think of themselves as Northlanders first and Kansas Citians only secondarily.

In the recent Northland Commissioner’s Economic Development assembly Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhauser pointed out a concern that should be addressed if the Northland is to capitalize on its future. And that is to open up to and more actively collaborate with South Kansas City and other parts of the metro.

Bridges serve a vital role in spanning borders and boundaries and offer an exceptional opportunity to connect regions. I happen to believe that the Kansas City does a good job at collaboration but could perhaps do a better job in spanning the gaps between us.

I’m convinced that when our market can get past the slogans and can unify its common interests, only then will the region prosper.  Rather than shuffling companies from one “incentivized” area to another, we need to attract new businesses that appreciate the fertile and business friendly environment that could exist all through our harmonious metro.

Joe Sweeney

Editor-In-Chief & Publisher

JSweeney@IngramsOnLine.com