Nation's largest senior care referral firm selects KC for new office, creating 600+ jobs

The largest senior care referral service in North America, A Place for Mom, Inc. (APFM), plans to open their fourth office location in Overland Park, Ks. next week.

The Seattle-based, privately-held company signed a lease on a temporary space on the Sprint Campus while they finalize their new office details - including building out their permanent Overland Park location.

With offices currently in Seattle, New York City and Naples, FL., APFM's growing business plans include creating more than 600 jobs in the KC metro area in the coming years.

“We are committed to creating a world-class operation in the Kansas City area as we continue to transform our business to best serve our customers,” said Larry Kutscher, CEO of A Place for Mom.

A Place for Mom’s new Overland Park office will be the home to several job categories that are core to the company’s business operations - including managerial talent, finance and human resources professionals, local advisors, information technology experts, engineers, designers, writers, customer service associates and other support staff functions.

“We’re thrilled A Place for Mom has chosen Kansas for its new location. The jobs created and the investment in Overland Park will have a significant impact on the Greater Kansas City region,” Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.

“We look forward to welcoming A Place for Mom to the Kansas community and working with them as they grow their presence in our state,” Toland said.

Founded in 2000, A place for Mom employs more than 500 senior living experts and works with more than 16,000 provider communities in the United States and Canada. By growing its core operations, APFM will be able to continue to provide the most up-to-date information, tools, and options to help customers find the senior living arrangement that would best meet their specific needs.

“Overland Park regularly ranks among the top places for families in the nation, including caring for members of our extended family,” said Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach.

“It’s truly an honor for Overland Park to be home to A Place for Mom, a company that provides insight and information to make it a little easier to give the compassionate and necessary attention our parents and elders deserve. We look forward to supporting the company’s growth and its 600 employees in the coming years,” Mayor Gerlach said.

The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) worked with a number of regional partners in attracting A Place for Mom to the Kansas City region including the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Occidental Management, Parker + Lynch/Ajilon, CBRE, Evergy, Kansas Gas, Johnson County Community College and TeamKC. 

“The Kansas City region naturally excels at customer care and offers competitive location advantages for companies from both coasts that need to serve a North American customer base,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of KCADC.

“We are excited to welcome A Place for Mom into our region’s operational and shared services corridor in KC Heartland,” Cowden said.

Hiring is already underway, and there will be openings at all levels, from recent college graduates to senior management. Interested candidates are encouraged to view opportunities and apply at aplaceformom.com/about/careers. 

Firebirds, First Watch join Lee's Summit's Streets of West Pryor

The first restaurant tenants have been announced for the Streets of West Pryor development, currently under construction at I-470 & Pryor Road in Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Drake Development president, Matt Pennington, revealed Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and First Watch as the first restaurant tenants at the mixed-use development.

“Our whole team is being very selective about what goes in. This development, to me, is kind of the trend-setter of Lee’s Summit,” Pennington said.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, based out of Charlotte, NC., offers chef-curated American fare out of its "100% from-scratch" kitchen. The restaurant specializes in hand-cut steaks, sustainable seafood and craft cocktails.

Pennington said Firebirds focuses on quality when expanding its franchise.

“There’s only three locations opening in the whole country in 2020 - we’re one of them. So you can imagine what goes into that,” Pennington said.

Besides being an environmentally-conscious restaurant, Firebird's is also a partner of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which works to fight childhood cancer #OneCupAtATime.

The second restaurant, First Watch, is based out of University Park, FL., and has been serving up fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch since 1983. According to their website, the restaurant welcomes customers with a pot — not just a cup — of their Project Sunrise coffee, along with complimentary newspapers and WiFi Internet access.

More tenant announcements are expected to be announced soon, but Pennington stressed that Drake is not in a rush to fill the leases.

“We’re just taking our time - making sure it’s the exact right users, rather than just filling it up,” Pennington said.

The 70-acre mixed use development will feature apartments, senior living, a hotel, McKeever’s Market grocery store and connected walking trails to nearby Lowenstein Park.

The first phase of Streets of West Pryor is on track to open later this year.

Superior Bowen expands, acquires O'Donnell and Sons and two asphalt plants

Superior Bowen, one of Kansas City’s largest site-work and road contractors, has acquired O'Donnell & Sons Construction, an Olathe-based, third-generation family business founded in 1973.

In addition, Superior Bowen has acquired the Olathe and Louisburg asphalt plants of the Hamm Companies, based out of Topeka, Ks.

The double-down expansion maintains the company's commitment to Johnson County, Ks, while further extending its industry-leading capabilities.

"The acquisition of O'Donnell & Sons Construction, as well as the Olathe and Louisburg plants of the Hamm companies, were the perfect opportunities to continue that growth-focused strategy. We're proud to keep this key component of our region's economy in local hands," said Trey Bowen, CEO of Superior Bowen.

After a period of underinvestment, the State of Kansas has significantly increased its planned infrastructure spending for 2020 and beyond.

Superior Bowen already operates one asphalt plant in Olathe; the acquisitions will add the capacity required to serve the growing economic development needs of the area.

The acquisitions also leverage the company’s September 2019 investment in XBE, the leading science and technology platform for horizontal construction.

By building its robust management infrastructure on innovative software, Superior Bowen is able to scale with the needs of its market and lead the way in helping other horizontal construction companies achieve similar efficiencies.

"Superior Bowen exists to build things of lasting value. By adding the talented employees of O'Donnell & Sons to our experienced team, we'll be able to build even more of our community together,” Bowen said.

SMSD Aquatic Center now open thanks to creative partnership

The Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) Aquatic Center is now open for local students – as well as the entire community - thanks to a unique partnership between the school district, Johnson County Parks and Recreation District (JCPRD) and the City of Lenexa.

Planning the facility, which sits in the heart of the new Lenexa City Center in Lenexa, Ks., began in February 2015 as a result of a $223 million bond issue approved by SMSD voters.

The 54,000 SF building includes an innovative design, expansive seating and potential configurations for hosting competitive swim meets.

"Very early on we wanted the design of the building to emulate the sense of moving water. The rolling roof, the shimmering glass, the multi-colored metal panels and the light sculpture in the lobby are a few of the elements that are inspired by water in motion,” said Duane Cash, lead architect on the project with ACI Boland Architects.

The natatorium features a 100-meter olympic-sized pool with a deep end for diving; plus, two 1- meter and two 3-meter diving boards. The pool can be configured in many ways depending on the meet via two movable bulkheads.

The center was designed for education and instruction and includes an additional instructional pool with warmer water and a shallower depth. A third of the pool includes a movable floor that allows for a change of depth from zero inches to seven feet, depending on the activity.

“All of these elements and many more were all about creating a great place to be. Many aquatic centers are perceived to be dark, stuffy, closed off facilities and we wanted to push back against those notions. We wanted this building to be open and inviting, light-filled and healthy. We wanted to foster a sense of community, education, opportunity, athleticism and competition,” Cash said.

The design celebrates the spirit of competition with intentionally designed layers of transparency provided in each area of the building so that viewers, both inside and out, can see events happening within the building.

“We were excited to be a part of the great public plaza that the city had created. With that in mind we wanted (it) to be open and full of light. I envisioned pedestrians walking by or cars driving down 87th Street getting curious about the activities inside and wanting to become involved,” Cash said.

The land for the aquatic center was donated by the City of Lenexa to SMSD and the City also contributed towards the 220-stall parking garage, located adjacent to the aquatic center. JCPRD will operate and provide programming for the aquatic center.

Other partners on the SMSD Aquatic Center project include Counsilman-Hunsaker & Associates, ME Engineers, Bob D. Campbell, BHC Rhodes, Vireo and JE Dunn Construction.

New American Royal complex on the horizon for Kansas City

The American Royal Association is one step closer to its future home after recently acquiring 115 acres in Kansas City, Ks.

The American Royal purchased 47 acres earlier this year. Recently, the Patterson Family Foundation acquired 80 neighboring acres and signed a 99-year lease agreement with the American Royal Association for 68 of those acres, providing the American Royal a total of 115 acres for the new complex.

The Association’s vision is to be the national destination for the food and agriculture industry, the epicenter of agriculture – a vision that will elevate the presence of the longstanding Kansas City tradition.

“My late father, Neal Patterson, believed in the value the American Royal holds for the future of agriculture,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, member of the American Royal Board of Directors and director of the Patterson Family Foundation.

“This is about more than just building a state-of-the-art complex; it is about creating a place where relevant conversations and events around food, fiber and fuel happen. The American Royal will be a hub that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate and advance the industry that impacts all of us every day,” Smith said.

Earlier this fall, the American Royal submitted its preliminary development plan to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. This submission was the first in a series of requirements the American Royal will complete over the next six months.

This week the planning commission of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County approved the preliminary development plan and the special use permit for the American Royal complex.

The one million plus SF complex with accompanying outdoor plaza/arena will allow for an expansion of the current 14-week programming to 365 days of the year.

The highly flexible facility features over 800,000 SF of indoor, event space including significant barn and exposition areas, three performance arenas, one warm-up arena, a large educational area with integration throughout the entire complex and over 50,000 SF of high-end exhibit space.

The American Royal has been a nationally recognized brand of excellence for more than a century. Beginning in 1899 as the National Hereford Show, the American Royal has evolved into a comprehensive season of food and agriculture activity, hosting a variety of events.

Today, the Kansas City tradition celebrates its 120-year anniversary and is experiencing a successful year of growth and expanded reach.

“Support for the American Royal is strong and growing,” said Glen Alan Phillips, president and CEO of the American Royal.

“We have contestants coming to Kansas City from over 38 states and 14 countries to compete in our various events. Our livestock and equine shows were up in entries and maxed out the current facilities. Our Pro Rodeo sold out, including 200 standing-room-only tickets, and the American Royal World Series of Barbecue continues to be the world’s largest barbecue competition. We’re excited about this continued growth and the opportunities the new complex will provide to fill these needs in the future,” Phillips said.

To create and construct this industry hub, the American Royal selected the design-build team of Gould Evans and JE Dunn Construction. Henderson Engineers will provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire and life safety, acoustics, architectural lighting, audio-video, security and technology engineering design services.

“This is one of those design opportunities that, at its core, combines a rich history with a dynamic vision and the challenge to create the experiences that celebrate both,” said Tony Rohr, national managing principal at Gould Evans. “We are proud to be a part of the team to bring the American Royal vision to life.”

A ceremonial groundbreaking is expected to place in Spring 2020, with construction beginning Summer 2020. The core complex is to be complete by Winter 2021. For project updates and information, visit www.americanroyal.com/ournewhome.