Pride and Progress

Riverside has grown and matured into a charming and well-run city over the years. That is all due to the actions and vision of a succession of committed individuals who worked together tirelessly to nurture and promote the city, its residents and businesses. From simple beautification gestures such as potted flowers outside business establishments, to a clean-up campaign to rid the city of an overabundance of taverns, to the successful partnership with Argosy Casino, Riverside has grown and improved— slowly but always steadily and for the better.

Incorporation

Although Riverside existed as an unincorporated community for more than 100 years and accumulated an extensive history, it still lacked what other area communities had achieved - legal recognition as an incorporated city. In 1951 a number of factors contributed to Riverside residents finally taking the legal step to incorporate and become a city. First, the growing community increasingly recognized its interconnectedness - from fire protection to socializing. A key catalyst, however, involved efforts by the neighboring city of Parkville to annex what is now part of Riverside and the overall concern that Kansas City would annex both towns.

One anecdote recalled how Red-X owner E.H. Young was reading his morning paper when an article caught his eye. To his surprise, Parkville was about to annex all properties to the south and east of their city limits— Riverside! Young quickly called a meeting at a local Riverside restaurant with Vic Panus, an attorney and developer of Riverside's Indian Hill’s subdivision, and Ferd Filger, another Riverside business owner. The group discussed the annexation and decided to visit Parkville. After a meeting with the Parkville mayor, Parkville agreed not to annex the additional lands. They did, however, encourage the Riverside group to seek additional protection to keep the area from being annexed by Kansas City. At the time, Kansas City was in a period of aggressively seeking expansion north of the River. Riverside residents held a meeting at the Brenner Ridge School to discuss possible city boundaries. By the end of the evening, several neighborhoods elected to remain independent from Riverside — creating the communities of Northmoor, Houston Lake and Northern Heights.

Young, Panus and Filger scheduled a meeting with Platte County Presiding Judge, A.J. Hillix to determine what procedures were to be followed in appointing a mayor and board before an election could be called the following April. On June 21, 1951, the Platte County Court was presented a Petition for Incorporation. (Presiding Judge/Commissioner was A. J. Hillix, George Offutt was Eastern Judge and O. W. Thompson was Western Judge. Holman Ham was the County Clerk). On June 26, the court issued an order declaring the City of Riverside a Body Corporate, Fourth Class City and appointed First Officers of the newly formed city. Ferd F. Filger was appointed mayor of Riverside by the Platte County Court. He and other city officials served until the first regular city election in April 1952. Aldermen included E.H. Young, Roy Renner, Dr. Thomas Eagle and Will Scrivner. John Scott served as marshal, Lowell Brenner as collector and Mrs. Curtis (Helen) Brenner, city clerk. Boundaries for this new city were generally north from the Missouri River, east to Highway 169 and north to Northmoor. A census by Dr. Eagle showed 750 persons living in the area. The petition for incorporation was signed by 400. Businesses in the area included the Riverside Stadium and a motor car racetrack in the vicinity of the former Riverside Jockey Club. Riverside's first city election was held in 1952. Mr. Filger was then elected Mayor. The elected aldermen were E.H. Young, Mrs. Francis Clark, William Scrivner, O.V. Beach, Roy Renner and Lowell Brenner.

Founding Fathers

The founders of Riverside were a unique group. Filger and Young, especially, represented a combination of inventive entrepreneur spirit and community commitment.

Ferd F. Filger Sr.

Filger, who eventually served as Riverside's mayor for 20 years, began Filger Oil Company in 1936 at 4533 Gateway. This office was an unofficial Riverside historic site to many residents. The building was originally a small cafe. A garage was added and it became a Texaco station. Shortly after, he added a warehouse. The building has been closed and unfortunately no remnants of it are visible today.

Filger lived in the Riverside area since his birth in 1896. He was born on the Filger farm, off Englewood Road, to Peter and Emma Filger. Like most boys, he helped out on the farm when he was not at school. He attended Englewood School at Englewood Road and North Oak when it was just a frame schoolhouse. Filger recalled that Englewood Road used to continue down and across Line Creek from the point where Englewood and AA Highway meet today. Another crossing was in Riverside down the hill behind St. Matthews Church. Filger was married in 1918, and his wife passed away in 1936. 

He came to Riverside, started his oil business, and married again in 1938. Filger had three sons and two daughters, eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He died Feb. 19, 1985. When asked about his years as mayor and if there was anything that remained vivid in his mind or any special occasion, he said, "Just keeping the city going those first years was enough of a challenge."

E.H. "Ed" Young

Young is widely known for his unique Red-X store. E. H. Young played one of the most significant roles in Riverside's history. Both visibly and behind the scenes, he was a community leader in the true sense of the word. Young operated one of Riverside's first "filling stations," he founded Red-X (which in many ways predicted the rise of discount stores such as K-mart and Wal-Mart) and most importantly, Young was a true community leader. Ed served as Riverside mayor and he donated thousands of dollars in funds and property. When Young died, he left a legacy of accomplishment that was shared throughout the community.

Young was born on June 6, 1912 in Kansas City. He moved to Riverside in the late 1940s. After operating several businesses, including a gasoline station, he opened the Red-X general store in the early 1950s. He experienced many trials, such as two devastating floods and a major fire. After the 1993 flood, he set a new course with a lot of hard work and his patented humor. His Red-X advertising slogan became "The Home of High Water, Hot Fires and Low Prices." Riverside's incorporation was an early vision of Young's. He also served as an Alderman from 1951 to 1970 and held the office of Mayor from 1976 to 1980. Mr. Young often was the silent partner in area charities. Additionally he established the first Riverside park fund with a $5,000 donation; donated the 40 acre tract of land where the E.H. Young Riverfront park is located; he renovated a building providing a place for the Bell Road Players; he gave gifts to the Riverside Public Safety Department and supported the new Park Hill South High School Renaissance program. Young died on July 2, 1999 at his home. Loved for his subtle sense of humor and commitment to Riverside, he left a legacy of accomplishment that was shared throughout the community. He was one of the rare individuals who was both loved and respected. 

Building From Scratch

Most 20th century communities could count on well-placed organizations to help support their city. Incorporated in 1951, Riverside had to build its own from scratch. Judge Dan Czamanske, now an associate circuit judge for Platte County, was the second mayor of Riverside. Like mayors before and after, he presided over a great deal of "building" that had nothing to do with brick and mortar.
During his two terms from 1972-76, he oversaw creation of Riverside's Public Safety Department and other major steps toward city improvement. The joint police/fire operation was typical of the kind of decision making early mayors and aldermen made. "It didn't make sense to have a fire chief and a police chief," he recalled. "We just didn't have the budget for that." But even then, Riverside had a lot to offer, he recalled. "This is a wonderful community."

Czamanske also served on the city's Planning Commission and was a city judge for more than five years. Other accomplishments included naming Northwest Gateway, the city's main thoroughfare. One of his administration's biggest accomplishments may have been hiring Betty Burch as city clerk. Burch served for years as clerk then went on to serve on the Board of Aldermen and as mayor. "Betty was so good at what she did. We found that the more we used her, the more we liked her. Betty Burch was the best thing that happened to the city," Czamanske recalls.

Another key staff member was Irene Paulhe, secretary to the board. Don Witt was city attorney and Gary Hohimer was first director of the Department of Public Safety. About the same period, John West served on the planning commission, including service as its first chairman in 1972. He also served as an Alderman, but his term on the planning commission may have been the most dramatic. "We wrote the first zoning ordinance," he recalled. "We basically modified Kansas City's. That gave us a start." Early city work was "exciting" in many ways. "We prepared the first city budget," West recalled. "The city had never had a budget. According to state law you can't operate a city without a budget!" West went on to serve five successive terms on the Board of Aldermen without opposition. He said the early city leaders were a unique group. "Most were small businessmen and we tried to run the city like a business," he recalled. "We didn't have an unlimited source of funds. I was finance chairman and they had created a $200,000 reserve as a passbook savings account!"

Business

Riverside's business growth has been interesting, with family businesses and large companies both playing significant roles. Since World War II, two of the most significant were the Filger Oil Company and the Red-X Store. Filger started his business in 1936 while Ed Young started Red-X in 1948. Many other businesses have come and gone since the 1930s. In the '40s and '50s, some familiar businesses were Sloans Restaurant, Mrs. Eldridge's Tavern, Busch's Barber Shop and the Riverside racetrack. There were many gas stations and quite a few billboard signs —this was the America of "Route 66."

Gas and Burgers

One of Riverside's most unique periods might be termed its "American Graffiti" era, named after the movie depicting the "automobile culture" of the 1950s. One North Kansas City resident recalled growing up in this era. "We'd always go to Riverside, especially on Saturday nights," he said. "There were so many hamburger stands. It was just a lot of fun and everybody was there." Names like Dog-N-Suds, Griffs or Dairy Queen made the area popular with all ages. About this same time, the Riverside Race Track was in operation for automotive races. Later, the Riverside Drive-In was popular, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Riverside was "the" place to be.

A related factor had an unusual impact. In the 1950s, Missouri allowed cities to levy a tax on gasoline. Some cities had a fairly steep tax— up to seven or eight cents a gallon. Considering that gasoline might be as little as 17 cents a gallon, it was obvious that motorists would notice a tax that might be 30 to 50 percent of their cost. But Riverside had no such tax. As a result, people would drive from throughout the Kansas City area to "fill 'er up." Many made this a Sunday outing, taking the family for a drive to Riverside where they bought gasoline (hopefully for most of the week). Some of these motorists, traveling from as far as south Kansas City, liked the area so much that they eventually moved to Riverside.

Line Creek Bridges and Car Washing

Line Creek has forever divided Riverside, winding its way down to the Missouri River. It is impossible to drive from one end of the city to the other without going over it. A total of seven bridges cross Line Creek in Riverside, including the railroad bridge by Highway 9. With the advent of automobiles and the "car culture" of the 50s and 60s, what had been ice-cutting locations used by 19th century residents to supply ice for icehouses, became popular spots for car washing and people-watching. Several cars parked in the creek bed as people enjoyed listening to the radio and washing their cars by hand.

Auto Racing

Without a doubt, the "fastest" period in Riverside's history took place on the southeastern edge of the community where for 37 years the Riverside Race Stadium drew attention throughout the region and helped start nationally famous careers. Riverside Race Stadium began with a one-half mile dirt track in June of 1951 - just a short time before the city of Riverside was incorporated. The first race was held Sunday, June 3, 1951. Drivers from 10 states participated for future, contending spots in the IMCA circuit standing.

Many strong contenders began their driving careers here in Riverside: Greg, Jerry and Kenny Weld; Jud Larson, John Fleming, Jerry Beach and Jim Penney, just to name a few. Many of these drivers went on to participate in the Indianapolis 500. In an interview several years ago, Jim Penney recalled coming to Riverside with his father as a young man. Before long, auto racing became a big part of his life. Penney recalled drawing for his position in the first race of the evening. "Then, if you were lucky enough to place in the top four contenders, you could be certain that you would qualify for the main event," he said. Top speeds in the early years were about 55-66 mph. If you were fortunate to win, your pay would be either a trophy or a small cash prize. Fans and friendships were also a large part of racing, Penney noted. Many working men competed in the events and which was a great source of family entertainment. Crowds varied with each event, but the Saturday night stock car races were the most popular. And while accidents did happen, the real focus was more on skill. E. H. Young owned and operated the race track from 1951-1975, then leased the facility until it closed in 1988. He enjoyed auto racing and made a personal connection with drivers and fans.

The race track had an effect on many homeowners. Norman and Irene Jones' home feels like a rural hillside but Irene admits that there were some doubts when they first moved in. "The (auto) race track was at the bottom of the hill and sometimes it sounded like the finish line was in my kitchen," she now laughs. "But later there was the drive-in and that was great. All the neighborhood kids could sit out back and watch the shows." The couple eventually had four children. Norman worked 43 years for Mobile Oil while Irene worked as librarian in Riverside's Mid-Continent Public Library for 19 years. "This is an incredible place," Irene concludes. "The view here is fantastic in the winter and in the summer; it's like we're out in the country somewhere."

Family Businesses and Hometown Corporations

Fata Grocery
During the 1930s and 1940s, Fata Grocery was the epitome of old fashioned family business. Jim Fata, Sr. founded his grocery and "general store" in 1934. Operated by Jim and his family, Fata Grocery was located east of the present Red-X store. Like other small businesses, Fata Grocery was known for its good-natured humor and warmth. Many customers still recall the sign near the old-fashioned cash register: "In God We Trust— but you pay cash." Jim Fata, Jr., recalled recently that the business also involved delivery of ice and coal throughout the area. The coal was used to heat many area homes and the ice (chopped from area creeks during the winter) was used in early refrigerators and iceboxes. It was definitely a family business. "We lived behind there and all of us worked— mom, dad and four children," Jim Fata, Jr. now recalls. In the 1950s, E.H. "Ed" Young of Red-X fame purchased the business, but not before it had left its mark on Riverside. "It was great because we knew all of our customers and they knew us," Fata recalled. "It was a real family store."

Beverly Lumber
One of the earliest businesses in Riverside was actually here before the foundation of the city. It was founded by Frank McKnight with his brother-in-law Bill Dowd as manager of the first yard. In 1947 the company purchased the A.J. Higgins Lumber Company of Tracy, later moving it to Platte City. In April 1949, the firm purchased the White Lumber Company in Riverside.
The Riverside location became the headquarters. Locations were later started in Leavenworth and Atchison, Ks. The company remained a family business with McKnight's two daughters as owners and three of Dowd's sons as president and managers of the two largest yards - Riverside and Leavenworth. Walt Dowd is president of the company. Over the years the company was hit by floods and fires, but has since survived and prospered. The company had a store in St. Joseph in the late 1940s, and was planning to close it when it was destroyed by fire. The Riverside store was flooded several times in1947, 1951 and 1952. The worst flood was in 1993 when the water was eight feet high at the Riverside headquarters, and it took three months to clean up the damage. Today the company prospers and has 38 employees.

Chevy Duty Pickup Parts
One of Riverside's most unique businesses also has one of the most unique histories of any firm operating in the city. Chevy Duty Pickup Parts may at first sound like an unlikely success story. To say the least, owner Mark Jansen's operation is specialized. Chevy Duty Pickup Parts only sells parts for Chevy pickup trucks built between 1947 and 1972. "People just can't believe I do that for a living," the young owner admitted. "Every time I tell that to somebody, they say, 'How do you make a living at that?' But we've been doing fairly well and we've been growing steadily for years." The firm is located in a 37,000-square-foot structure in a Riverside office complex near 9 Highway. Jansen was located at 4319 NW Gateway in a building that seven years ago replaced the second of two home operations. Jansen founded his company when he became interested in restoring pickups. "I had an old truck I needed parts for," he recalled. "I was buying them from a company in California and I decided I could probably do what he's doing. It started out part-time in the evening, but it grew into a full time business."

Business Boom

The most dramatic business boom in Riverside began in the 1980s, despite soaring interest rates and high unemployment. Although it started at a snail's pace, buildings such as an industrial office facility for Getty Refining (now owned by Conoco, Inc.) laid the foundation for what is today one of the area's brightest industrial areas: the 9 Highway corridor.

In 1983, a giant step was made when a new zoning district was established titled "Light Industrial." This made way for Riverside's first Industrial Park developed by John Brown & Company, located adjacent to Red-X where the old Riverside Drive-In once stood. Today, the Riverside Business Park consists of 18 acres and is complete with a total of seven buildings representing almost five million dollars in development. These multi-use office/warehouse buildings can be utilized or divided to accommodate 50 to 70 tenant spaces. Over the next three years, the momentum continued. This also was a time when many existing homes and businesses underwent considerable remodeling. In 1984 Windemere Retirement Center constructed the second phase of its facility where they now house 59 residents.

The year 1987 marked the beginning of major development for the corridor of property south of 9 Highway, which first included the Woodbridge Foam/Riverside Seat manufacturing plant. Mild weather conditions in 1988 were a factor in marking an all time high in construction dollars - $4,779,408. The city also saw the construction of the Conoco Products Terminal facility and the initial phase of office/warehouse buildings constructed in the new Platte Valley Industrial Park, both located along 9 Highway.

Early in 1989, the city approved a land use guide plan and zoning changes in an effort to better serve the community. Another building was added in the Platte Valley Industrial Park. New construction of the Earth Dental Lab was completed on Gateway (next to Eagle Animal Hospital). Peeler Oil began construction of their new location on Tullison Road. Although none of these were huge the total area comprised a significant trend. Most importantly, groundwork was laid for further growth that continues today.
A significant aspect of Riverside's past and future involves a unique series of light industrial buildings along 9 Highway, operated by ProLogis Trust. Since 1994, ProLogis has owned and expanded the former John Brown and Associates properties in Riverside, the Riverside Industrial Center and the Platte Valley Industrial Park. Originally Security Capital Industrial Trust, ProLogis is far more than a local real estate company. The firm changed their name in 1998 in order to expand into Europe with its unique concept of consistent service. "The idea is that any of our tenants can walk into one of our offices anywhere and know what to expect," explained Kathryn Hershewe, marketing representative for ProLogis Riverside. ProLogis became a Riverside business with purchase of the John Brown operation in 1994. Based in Denver, ProLogis is an industrial real estate investment trust located in 98 markets throughout the world. The company owns and manages an amazing total of 200 million square feet of property. In Riverside, the firm controls more than 1 million square feet in 21 buildings, including two constructed since the purchase.

Chamber of Commerce

The "Riverside Area Chamber of Commerce" was a significant development of the 1980s. In 1988, Mayor Betty Burch contacted consulting assistance with sportscaster and Northland personality, Bill Grigsby. She knew the city needed a boost and Grigsby operated a consulting group, CityMark, which helps communities identify strengths and marshal resources for improvement.

Approximately 50 people attended a meeting, including business and property owners, concerned citizens and several members of the Board of Aldermen. During the meeting, Grigsby said, "You have two choices. You can either get an army of bulldozers and plow the place under or you can clean up your act! Paint your buildings, plant some trees and make your community a viable place to be." Community leader Dan Peak was sitting next to David and Marilyn Brenner during the meeting. Marilyn suggested to Dan the need for a Chamber of Commerce. Agreeing that this was a good idea, Peak stood and made a motion to form a new Chamber. Riverside hosted a Chamber in the past, but at that time there was no current, organized effort. A steering committee was formed and the new Riverside Area Chamber of Commerce followed. Dan Peak was named first president.

At a meeting held on May 15, 1988 at the David Theatre, Articles of Incorporation and organizational bylaws were accepted unanimously, along with newly elected Board of Directors and Officers: Dan Peak, President; Ron Hopkins, Vice President; Bill Smith, Secretary/Treasurer; Sheree Shepard, Toni Case, Bill Bailey, Ron Hopkins, Bill Tott, Phillip Wollard and Jim Davis. Directors meetings were held at the John Brown and Company office with the focus on the cleanup of Riverside. A couple of workdays were held and volunteers pitched in to start improving the community. The Chamber included 50 - 70 members.

Fundraising activities included member dinners and auctions. The organization Reach Out America and other local charities were recipients of the proceeds. Toni Case, who was the 1989 president of the Riverside Area Chamber of Commerce, began a festival called River City Days, held around the 4th of July. Entertainment and activities included a small carnival, fireworks display, and the ever-popular dunk tank. The Chamber also held a dance in conjunction with the fall festival.

Case said the key goal of the Chamber at the time was to help beautify Riverside. "The idea was to clean up the city by promoting businesses to clean up their buildings and help others to do the same." Today, many things have changed. Although there is no longer a River City Days, the 50 members have grown to 150. The Chamber still participates in the fall festival, Riverfest, and they still donate to local charities. Most importantly, the goal of making our community a better place to be remains as important today as it was in 1988.

City Beautification

Riverside's Pride and Progress Committee began from a growing desire to clean up and spruce up a community that did not always present its best face to the metropolitan area. The effort was founded in 1978 by Finney Young, wife of Red-X owner Ed Young.
The group worked for two years, but continued complaints about the appearance of some businesses and properties in Riverside led a group of 15-20 women to meet at city hall to consider renewed action. Among the leaders was Marilyn Brenner, wife of then mayor David Brenner, who became the group's first formal chair. They began to take action immediately.

The work also followed earlier efforts by an Associated Residents-Merchants of Riverside (ARMOR) and the city of Riverside. But the Pride and Progress work represented the longest running effort and remains active today. Marilyn Brenner admits there was something of the "vigilante" spirit in the group. "But we also used a carrot along with our sticks," she recalls with a laugh. "We didn't go up and tell someone they had to fix up their property. We said, 'Can we help?' And we did. There were many Saturdays where a large group came out. Of course, when 35 or 40 people showed up with paint and everything, it was hard to refuse!" Actually, the first outing of the Pride and Progress Committee drew a staggering 200 people. One motel received a coating of between 40 and 50 gallons of paint – in one day.

The group also tread where city officials could not. "Riverside was a fourth class community and the state did not grant things such as code enforcement," Brenner recalls. "But we could quietly encourage businesses to remove things such as old, peeling billboards." Much of their work had a snowball effect. One of their first efforts involved placement of "flower barrels," decorated drums filled with plantings. At first the group placed them one at a time, working with business owners who agreed to the decorations after a presentation. Before long, however, business owners were seeking out the group to request barrels. "Barrels started to spring up all over the city," Brenner said. "It was really very dramatic."

Other Battles
About the same time as Pride and Progress was under way, the city faced one of its most difficult challenges. Riverside contained more than its share of liquor establishments – taverns and liquor stores – on a per capita basis. Then Mayor David Brenner recalled that the city in the late 1970s had between 14 and 15 businesses dispensing alcohol, most in a small section of Gateway Drive. "There were just too many for a city this size," David Brenner recalls. "I appreciate a drink, but we were just overwhelmed with them." The solution didn't occur overnight, but eventually the number of establishments was reduced. A key to the effort was recognition of the city's authority to regulate licenses. "A lot of tavern owners thought the license went with the business, automatically," he said. "It took a while, but we gradually were able to exercise some authority by the city." In 1981, all of this and other work paid off with Riverside's reception of a National Beautiful Cities Award.

Unique Home Ownership

One of the most unusual stories in Riverside involves the Riverside Townhouses development at 3021 NW 47th Terrace. At first glance, the townhouses look much like an apartment complex, but Manager Carol Turney explains there is an important difference that also helps explain the "cared for" look the complex exhibits. First, the "units" are three story town homes, with basements and two living floors. More importantly, however, the individual town homes are actually owned by the residents. "It's good for people, especially a family with a limited income," Turney explained. "It gives them space and feeling of ownership."

The "cooperative townhouses" also offer input for owners. A board of directors composed of member residents has responsibility for decisions such as the upgrading of individual town homes or the design of a playground. Therese Madison has lived in Riverside Townhouses since 1972 with her husband Jim. A member of the board of directors said the differences go beyond even ownership and responsibility. "It's a community," she said. "It's really the best of both; the convenience of an apartment complex and the ownership of a home. There's permanence here so you make friends and get to know people."

Many families and retired people find the townhomes a perfect solution to housing needs. The location has also drawn a number of students from an area medical college. "That's one of the things I like best," Theresa said. "We have a community from all income brackets. That's nice." Depending on income, a resident can receive federal assistance for their payments, Turney noted. Riverside Townhomes has obviously been successful. The original 88 units were built in 1972, and the remaining 88 built in 1976. "It's a very successful formula," Turney said. "I came here when my daughter was three months old. Now she lives here and has two children of her own."

Riverfest

The Riverside fall festival known today as Riverfest was founded in 1976 as a fun weekend for young people. Loo Rodeberg, Riverside Alderman, came to a meeting one night and expressed the long-held wish that Riverside should have a festival for children and young people. But little revenue and starting from scratch was a major challenge. Thankfully, then Mayor E.H. "Ed" Young and Alderman David Brenner said they would help. These three – Young, Brenner and Rodeberg – were the founders of today's Riverfest.

Lack of funding was a real issue. Mayor Young became a major supporter, using his own funds to ensure that the festival got off the ground. Other local residents came forward, making donations and building by hand the games and activity booths that were a key to the early festival. The clown toss, rope ladder, beauty contest stage and other festival highlights were made possible through these hands-on contributions.

Other volunteers searched throughout the metropolitan area for affordable prizes: candy, rubber snakes, stick-on "tattoos" and Halloween teeth were the most popular prizes. These prizes were often seen for days after the festival in the hand of Riverside children. During the festival itself, volunteers from throughout the community were "victims" in the dunk tank or helped by operating other games and activities.

The first festival was held on Sept. 4, 1976 and was a major success. The festival saw 700-800 participants arriving despite a virtual absence of advance publicity. The theme that year was "Riverside: Our Hometown." Organizers began immediately to plan for the second year. In the festivals third year (1978), the city of Riverside agreed to support the growing effort by underwriting activities with a $500 contribution. More prizes could be purchased and, with the handiwork of people like Dick Grogan, games such as the bottle throw were added.

In the early 1980s, Riverside's Pride and Progress committee was in full swing and operation of the festival was a natural responsibility for this organization. Under their guidance, the list of activities grew with popular events such as mud volleyball. The year of 1981 saw the first parade, an activity that also reflected the festival's emphasis on children and young people. The bulk of the parade consisted of children on decorated bicycles and tricycles, an event that finally drew some area press coverage because of the unique emphasis on children.

City-wide support for the festival continued to grow, with individuals, businesses and organizations contributing directly or through in-kind donations. The original $500 budget had grown to $2,000, allowing more prizes, fireworks and activities. In 2001 the city of Riverside contributed $10,000, allowing activities that would have been impossible in 1976. That growth also took a dramatic turn in 1999 with the incorporation of a formal non-profit group to operate the festival, Riverside Riverfest and Development Corporation. Creation of this group not only allows tax-deductible donations but also the possibility of other events, such as a spring festival, July 4th or other special event. All of these changes and improvements have contributed to the primary emphasis of Riverfest; to provide a good time for everyone in the community, especially children.

Theatre

The David Theatre is one of Riverside's most dramatic sagas both figuratively and literally. In 1987, the David Theatre had been operated by the "Bell Road Barn Players" for more than three decades. Jenkin and Barbara David started the summer theatre in 1954. Owners of a farm in Parkville, they utilized a barn as a community theatre for some 32 years.

As head of the drama department at Park University for 25 years, David began the theater as a way for his students to experience a summer workshop and participate in acting, directing, set and costume design. After Jenkin's death in 1984, Barbara realized that she could not continue with the care of the farm and subsequently decided to sell the home place. This caused the Bell Road Players to seek a new location, but their budget and space needs were a difficult combination. Not surprisingly to anyone familiar with Riverside, E.H. Young read about the plight of the Bell Road Players and came to their rescue. He offered the use of another, perhaps even more historic barn located in Riverside – a barn once used by the Riverside Downs Jockey Club horse race track.

The barn restoration efforts began in early 1987. It took nine months. Young, the David family, the Bell Road Barn Board of Directors and many volunteers spent hours developing the new David Theatre in Riverside and moving all of their material to the new facility. Finally, after months of work, the Bell Road Barn began their 33rd season on June 18, 1987 at its new location, 4200 NW Riverside Street. For just over five years, the players, their facility and Riverside were ready to "break a leg." Unfortunately, the year of 1993 brought down the curtain on this successful endeavor. The Great Flood of that year inundated the theater and much of Riverside with it. Unfortunately for the theater, not only was the building a total loss, but much of the contents, including sets, costumes and other equipment and supplies. When the floodwaters receded, the Bell Road Barn was forced to look for a new facility. New quarters were eventually found once again at Park University and the relationship with Park was again forged.

Parks

Riverside's first park is, appropriately named City Park (renamed Homestead Park) is located at the corner of Homestead Road and Homestead Terrace. In 1974 there were three duplexes located on this property but after the May 1974 flood, all the duplexes were completely destroyed.

Since the land was located in the flood hazard area, residential building was prohibitive. Two parcels of the property were donated to the city by Kirk Artley and Emery Brenner, and the city ultimately purchased the two remaining parcels. In 1980, E.H. Young established the first Park Board fund by donating $5,000 to the city. A resolution was adopted by the Board of Aldermen on May 4, 1982, establishing the Park and Recreation Advisory Board. Many major improvements have been made over the past three years including basketball goals, picnic tables and grills, a drinking fountain, playground equipment and landscaping.

Almost 10 years after acquisition of its first park, Riverside added the unique Renner Brenner Park with its beautiful grounds in the heart of the city and archeological significance.Many would argue, however, that the real crown jewel of Riverside and the surrounding region is the new E.H. Young Riverfront Park. This stunning facility includes approximately 100 acres donated by E.H. Young and features a river-walk that is second to none in Missouri.

Public Safety Department

The Riverside Public Safety Department was formed January 28, 1975. Each officer is trained in police and fire protection. With a limited budget, the city's first fire equipment was not luxurious. The first fire equipment in early 1975 was a 1953 Seagraves fire truck. Shortly thereafter they purchased a large Ford FMC fire engine and in 1979 a Chevy mini pumper. All of this changed dramatically with the increase in community revenue afforded by the Argosy Casino funds.

The biggest news was the arrival in 2000 of the HME Custom 75-Foot Ladder Fire Truck. This large safety equipment vehicle is the first in the city's history and replaced the 1976 Ford Pumper that was retired after many years of dedicated service. The new addition improved the effectiveness of the Fire Divisions personnel with their continued fire suppression and rescue efforts. In 2000, the Public Safety Communications Center was also equipped with a DTN Weather Safety monitoring system, enabling personnel to monitor local weather radar and satellite images 24 hours a day. This takes the guesswork out of severe weather forecasting, allowing the department to be more proactive with immediate reporting of any severe weather events.

The city also approved and added two additional rotating, outdoor, early-warning sirens. These sirens were strategically placed throughout the community so that effective advance warning is provided to everyone regarding any severe weather moving into the area. Riverside's Public Safety operation added three Lifepak 500 Automated External Defibrillators. An AED is a computerized defibrillator that is among the most modern equipment available to help restore a heartbeat.

A new Public Safety facility was completed in 2004 and features a 911 dispatch center, camera surveillance of the City Hall campus, police patrol facilities, a detention center, a large training classroom and fully-equipped fire fighting facilities including pumper and ladder trucks.

Argosy Casino

Arguably the biggest news in Riverside's history was the 1994 opening of the Argosy Casino gaming riverboat. From the first announcement of its construction, the Argosy drew controversy. Much of the question comes down to whether the observer believes that adults should have a choice about gambling as entertainment or whether they see unavoidable problems with an industry based on gambling.

Riverside recognized the issue and early in the area's debate selected one of the most credible firms to operate a local casino, The Argosy Company. "Betty (Burch) was mayor at the time," Judge Dan Czamanske said. "She did a great job bringing in that casino. Several casinos wanted the rights to come here so Betty studied what they were offering and found the best deal for Riverside."

The first casino to open in the metropolitan area, the Argosy began business with the only working riverboat in metropolitan Kansas City, complete with a captain and sailing schedule. The community impact of the Argosy for Riverside has been significant. Within a year of its opening, Argosy paid millions of dollars to Riverside's once-weak budget. In 2005, funding from the Argosy added to $11.7 million. Where city officials formerly worried about even minor expenses, they now had enough funding to examine city improvements on a comprehensive scale.

Their choices for improvement are equally important. From the beginning, the Riverside Board of Aldermen recognized that it would be a mistake to budget ongoing expenses such as salaries from the gaming monies which could be eliminated by outside forces. Instead, they targeted one-time expenses such as street improvements and other capital expenditures.

These improvements continue to impact people's lives in Riverside. In dozens of neighborhoods, streets, for the first time have curbs, gutters and sidewalks. In 1996, a beautiful new community center with a pool, meeting room and gymnasium offered citizens their first-ever such facility. A new city hall not only adds to the city's architectural beauty but provides much needed space and modernization. Perhaps most dramatic of all, a total reconstruction of the city's main thoroughfare, Gateway Drive, is expected to be a major catalyst for commercial development in the city's core.