Tin Roof Expands to Old Riot Room Space, Site of Westport Tragedy

By Kevin Collison

The Westport building heavily damaged in the December 2021 tragedy where three people died in an accident has been rebuilt to house an expanded Tin Roof music club.

The new venue opened last weekend and is located where the old Riot Room operated at 4048 Broadway. That well-known music club closed in October 2021 because of the pandemic.

Bob Franklin, CEO of Nashville-based Tin Roof, said the new space will allow his club to offer more live music and build on the success its experienced since opening at 424 Westport Rd. last spring.

“It’s been a fun 10 months and we’re obviously happy because we’ve added new space,” he said. “We like Westport, some of the most exciting entertainment in the city happens in Westport.”

The December 2021 accident was caused by a speeding KCFD fire truck that struck an SUV and shoved it into the building, killing the vehicle occupants and a pedestrian. (Photo by The Bunker)

Franklin acknowledged the tragedy that killed three people and damaged the building 15 months ago.

“Obviously there was a tragic accident that happened before we took over the space,” he said. “We got a call from our landlord who told us what happened and we thought ‘this is awful.'”

The Dec. 15, 2021 accident occurred when a Kansas City Fire Department truck speeding north on Broadway ran a red light and collided with an SUV traveling west on Westport Road. The collision impact pushed the SUV into the building, crushing a pedestrian.

The victims in the vehicle were Jennifer San Nicholas and Michael Elwood. The pedestrian who died was Tammi Knight.

Franklin said the building structure and brick facade had to be replaced to resemble the historic appearance of the original. He added many people will recognize the layout of the old Riot Room including its carousel bar and the location of the stage.

The building on Broadway heavily damaged by the December 2021 accident has been rebuilt to resemble its historic look.

New bathrooms, a new audiovisual system and new artist rooms below were added to what’s being called the Broadway Stage. The Westport Stage will remain in the original location.

“The second stage allows us to say ‘yes’ to more local bands,” Franklin said.

As part of the expansion, a small strip of land between the Tin Roof’s current patio and the now-closed Mickey’s Hideaway patio will be incorporated into the Tin Roof patio. It had been used as a 10-space parking lot.

The Tin Roof also is adding a rolling garage door to open onto an interior patio that was formerly part of the Riot Room.

The new Broadway addition will have limited hours to start and only will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.

The Tin Roof also is expanding its patio into a small former parking lot to the west.