Celebrating a Hall of Fame Trail in Ottawa
Just a month or so ago, I was writing about the honor bestowed upon the Flint Hills Trail, having been inducted into the “Trail Hall of Fame” (view newsletter here). Well this past Saturday, Legacy Square in downtown Ottawa hosted the official induction into the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) Hall of Fame. While the ceremony could have taken place in any of the dozen-plus communities along the trail, Ottawa was chosen for a couple of reasons. One is its unique position at the crossroads of two Hall of Fame trails (the Prairie Spirit is an award winner from over a decade ago). Also, because of the hard work of Jeff Carroll and his Ottawa Bike and Trail team who included the celebration in conjunction with their Moonrise Bike Ride (pictures here). The day couldn’t have been prettier, with fantastic temps, a busy downtown, and a square filled with cyclists, trail partners, community leaders, and outdoor enthusiasts all cheering on this milestone moment.
The RTC team made a whole trip of it—arriving Thursday evening to stay at the beautiful Painted Lady Bed & Breakfast, then spending Friday meeting with Kansas trail leaders and enthusiasts to learn how our state has built such a strong and successful trail network. I was lucky enough to sit in on some of those conversations, soaking in all the history of how things came to be. My big takeaway from those conversations was that no single person did ALL the work to make trails in Kansas as prominent as they are. However, it did take a whole host of individuals who pulled together. Whether in their own community, as a region, or as a trail network, to make something really special. Locally, we’ve had dozens of champions who have contributed to this cause, and for that, we’re grateful.
If you missed the festivities, you can still watch the full ceremony online (view that here). You might also check out this great write up about the Flint Hills Trail that was featured on the RTC website (view that here). And of course, the best way to celebrate is to get out on the trail yourself. After all, Ottawa is now home to the junction of not just one, but two Hall of Fame rail-trails!
Undersheriff Kiel Lasswell Completes Prestigious FBI National Academy
Each week at the Ottawa Rotary Club, the sitting President selects speakers throughout the community and region to come and speak to members about themselves, their organizations, and oftentimes, their experiences. This week, we heard from one of our own, Kiel Lasswell, who is the Immediate Past President of Rotary and the current Undersheriff for the Franklin County Sheriff's Department (picture here). Kiel has been out of town for a while, having spent the last ten weeks in Quantico, Virginia. The reason for this is the opportunity to participate in the FBI National Academy, one of the most prestigious leadership programs for law enforcement worldwide. Only about 1% of officers ever get selected throughout their career to attend, with a massive waiting list; just being accepted is a major achievement. Not only did Kiel get accepted, he represented our community in flying colors!
Kiel arrived in Quantico at the end of June and was immediately immersed in all that it offers, or rather requires, from you. He described the program as a three-legged stool, including curriculum, fitness, and networking. Over the ten weeks, he completed five master level courses, earning half of a master’s degree and a graduate certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia. The fitness portion was no joke either, containing several grueling tests. Throughout the classwork and the fitness, he wasn’t alone, joined by 250 law enforcement individuals representing 49 states and 22 different countries. He shared how eye-opening it was to work alongside officers whose countries' rules and regulations differ so greatly from our own. This fresh perspective, education, and newfound energy towards service are all things he brought back home with him. Even though it’s called the FBI National Academy, this is not a training to join the FBI. Rather, it’s an opportunity for local, state, and some federal offices to professionally and personally grow. Thankfully, our community gets to reap the benefit of having Kiel take this training and the gift of retaining a fantastic community leader. I appreciate that our Sheriff’s office emphasizes continuing education and provides its staff with opportunities like this. We are all the better for it!
World Cup 2026 Ticket Lottery Now Open
Big news for soccer fans (or those who are interested in watching the highest level of pro sports) as the first phase of 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket sales is officially open! FIFA has launched the Visa Presale Draw, which runs now through September 19. This is not a first-come, first-served sale; instead, it employs a lottery system. To take part, there are two requirements: you need to have a valid Visa card and create a FIFA account on their website (create that login here). Once registered, you can submit your application anytime during the entry period. Timing doesn’t matter (as long as you do so before the 19th); you have the same chance of being selected as someone who applied earlier this week. After the randomized draw, successful applicants will be notified starting September 29, with purchase time slots beginning October 1. It's been stated that tickets for matches will be as low as $60, with tickets as high as over $5k.
This is just the first of several phases, with the same process taking place again in late October (without the need for a VISA card) and then another lottery after the final World Cup group draw in December. Eventually, any remaining tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. With 104 matches spread across 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, demand is expected to be massive, so it’s worth getting your name in the hat early. Good luck to all those who apply!
A Time of Transition at the City of Ottawa
Just over two years ago, Brian Silcott was named City Manager after longtime administrator Richard Nienstedt retired. Brian shared at this week’s City Commission meeting that he will be stepping down from this role at the end of the calendar year (full press release here). His hope, and the desire of the City Commission, is to engage in a search to find a suitable replacement in that timeframe. Optimistically, with a possible start date within the first few months of 2026.
Working for the public in any role is an act of service. Whether you’re an elected official or a hired staff member, the role of protecting, supporting, and improving a community is a noble endeavor. Whether you’re a town of 12,000 or 120,000, no one person makes up a city’s government. It takes a whole host of people to step up who are willing to serve. Our community is grateful for Brian's service over the last two years.
This news comes as our community approaches a critical general election. This includes a City Commission race and a question asking voters if they would like to reinstate the current two half-cent sales taxes that are currently in effect. This election not only decides which three nominees will provide leadership for our community on the dais, but also the fate of a valuable taxing tool. To learn more about the election, make sure to have October 15 at 6:30pm on your calendar as the Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee is hosting the General Candidates Forum (more info here).
The Rise and Fall of the Zellner Building
If you’ve ever walked past Haley Park at the southeast corner of Second and Main, you may not realize you’re standing on the footprint of what was one of Ottawa’s most impressive downtown structures. The Zellner Building, originally constructed in 1880, was a marvel of its day. This morning’s Chamber Coffee, hosted by the Franklin County Historical Society, was held at the Old Depot Museum to share the details of the rise and fall of the historic downtown building (pictures here). The entrance of the museum has been transformed into a time capsule, taking you back to the late 1800s. As you move through the room, you get to explore what made this building so special, and eventually, explain why it is no longer there (exhibit photos here). The Franklin County Historical Society compiled three binders of articles, letters, pictures, and artifacts about this one building. Though it takes effort to collect all this info, it’s even more challenging to pick the most important pieces to share in an exhibit—but Diana and her team don’t back down from a challenge! I am thoroughly impressed by the outcome and highly encourage you to take a look for yourself (Old Depot Info here).
In the following paragraphs, I give a VERY brief synopsis of the history of the exhibit. There is soooo much more at the Old Depot Museum to learn and see if this story interests you! The three-story Zellner Building was a state-of-the-art structure, equipped with an elevator, steam heating, and even a fire suppression system—features that were considered cutting-edge at the time (pictures of the building here). On the third floor was the Opera House, a grand performance space that could host a thousand people, complete with a large stage, gallery, and balcony seating. Along with the Opera House, it was home to a diverse range of businesses, including a clothing store, a photography studio, a bookstore, and offices that occupied the space. In 1895, Jacob Zellner joined the business, and the building would carry his name for nearly a century. Decades later, the Opera House was transformed into the Ottawa Roller Rink, a place where many in attendance at today’s Coffee played and gathered as it operated from 1936 until 1977.
But on Monday, June 14, 1982, history began to crumble. Around 3:30 pm, insurance agent Bob Miller noticed the building shudder and called city officials. Inspections revealed slipping beams and cracking rafters—signs of an imminent collapse. By 6:30 pm, much of the third-floor north wall had given way, crashing into the intersection of Second and Main and severing key utility lines. Crews worked quickly to bring down sections of the structure in a controlled manner, but despite hopes of salvaging part of the building, it became clear within weeks that the Zellner could not be saved. By July of that year, ironically, 100 years after its original completion, the remainder was demolished (pictures here).
Today, the location is home to Haley Park (picture here). Which offers a quiet green space where the Zellner Building once stood, a welcome quality-of-life feature in the heart of downtown. It’s an ironic legacy—named for Ed Haley, the building’s final owner, under whose watch the Zellner ultimately collapsed. Sad as that ending was, the space continues to serve Ottawa, not with opera or roller skates, but as a place to gather downtown. The history of this building is unique in so many ways, with a diverse range of uses. But the fact is, the dangers that accompany a neglected historic building are all too familiar. With this in mind, our historical society hopes to spur conversation and action around protecting the beautiful assets that are our historic landmarks.
If you would like to learn more about the topic of historic building preservation, you don’t have to wait long! This coming Monday (9/15) at 7pm, the program “Buildings on the Brink” is coming to the OMA. This will entail stories about downtown buildings that are now thriving as told by the owners who have given them new life. On Thursday (9/18) next week, Diana will be guiding a walking tour at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30pm, giving perspective and telling stories about our historic downtown. This is just a portion of the many programs that this organization puts forward each year to educate our community about its history (more info here). I’m thankful for the Franklin County Historical Society, which keeps stories like the Zellner Building alive, and makes learning about our past fun!
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The Oliver Hart Parr Tractors and Fairbanks-Morse engines are making their way to Ottawa for the 30th Annual Power of the Past Antique Engine and Tractor Show (more info here). Today through Sunday, you, your family, and friends can enjoy one of the best events our town has to offer. I hope you head over to Forest Park to enjoy all the festivities put on by the Power of the Past Board and the countless individuals and organizations that help make this event a success. See you there!
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
