Local News

EPR Divests Charter-School Portfolio

EPR Properties, one of the Kansas City area's largest public companies, has exited the charter-school business to better focus on its core portfolio of experiential-entertainment real estate. The Kansas City-based real estate investment trust sold 47 assets in its charter-school… more

$350M Plan Would Redevelop Freighthouse Area

A $350-million plan made up of multi-story mixed-use buildings, including hundreds of residential units, has been submitted to the city in an ambitious move to transform the Freighthouse area, just to the south of The Crossroads neighborhood. The plan, put… more

Westlake Ace Hardware Buying N.Y. State Chain

Lenexa-based Westlake Ace Hardware continues its national expansion, purchasing a three-store chain in New York State, its first locations in the Northeast. Westlake is buying Haggerty Ace Hardware, founded in 1992, with stores in Cooperstown, Delhi and Walton, all in… more

Creative Planning Purchases D.C.-Area Firm

Creative Planning has made its third acquisition of the year, this time buying OptiFour, an investment adviser with $400 million in assets under management, based in McClean, Va.  In February it bought the Minneapolis-based Johnston Group, which had $500 million… more

Q&A: Chase Exec Outlines KC Expansion Plans

JP Morgan Chase & Co. has started its expansion into the Kansas City area. Last week was the official opening of a retail branch in Leawood, and another location, on the Missouri side in Kansas City, will open at 7701… more

Ferrellgas Lands Lending Agreement in Face of Defaults

Ferrellgas, L.P. has reached a lending agreement with TPG Specialty Lending to address "alleged events of default" that occurred under its current credit facility, the propane distributor said. The $300-million revolving credit facility sub-limit for the issuance of letters of… more

Auditor: Visit KC Needs More Accountability

The City Auditor's Office has released a report saying that Visit KC, the city's economic development agency devoted to promoting tourism, is not reporting its finances in a way that gives a clear picture of how it spends money. Visit… more

Strata Office Tower Proposal Could Face City Council Today

The City Council could today vote on a long-planned Downtown office tower known as Strata, a 250,000-square-foot development at the southwest corner of 13th and Main streets. It is across the street from the world headquarters of H&R Block, which… more

DFA May Acquire Dean Foods Assets

Dairy Farmers of America, the largest private company by revenue based in the Kansas City area, might get bigger. The Kansas City, Kan.-based national cooperative is reportedly in talks to buy all of the assets of Dallas-based dairy products producer… more

Blue KC Considers Headquarters Move

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City might move its headquarters from its current location, at 2301 Main St. Renovation of the existing facility, which was built in 1979, is also a possibility, as the building is "not adequately… more