Thomas Friestad
@thomasfriestad.bsky.social
Development reporter covering who's building what, for whom and at what cost, with the Kansas City Business Journal. NoVA native turned Midwesterner by way of Mizzou J-School. Catch me running, reading, traveling, playing Smash or (re)watching Survivor.
"Developers buy historic Scarritt complex to preserve as music-themed hotel"
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
September 25, 2025 at 6:10 PM
"Developers buy historic Scarritt complex to preserve as music-themed hotel"
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(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
"KC cancels border-war incentive cap while pledging 'responsible' economic development"
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September 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
"KC cancels border-war incentive cap while pledging 'responsible' economic development"
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(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
"Why KC’s bus company has expanded development incentives to new projects"
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September 16, 2025 at 1:42 PM
"Why KC’s bus company has expanded development incentives to new projects"
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(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
"Country Club Plaza luxury hotel faces expiring flag, loan maturity, as owners market for sale"
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September 15, 2025 at 7:44 PM
"Country Club Plaza luxury hotel faces expiring flag, loan maturity, as owners market for sale"
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(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
"Roy Blunt Luminary Park's cost jumps $100M as KC targets more funding options"
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September 11, 2025 at 3:22 PM
"Roy Blunt Luminary Park's cost jumps $100M as KC targets more funding options"
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Near year's end, I am assigned listicle-type stories with overviews of development projects in different parts of KC, for those who might have missed the original news. Fair to say, there was much to round up on the Berkley Riverfront.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
September 9, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Near year's end, I am assigned listicle-type stories with overviews of development projects in different parts of KC, for those who might have missed the original news. Fair to say, there was much to round up on the Berkley Riverfront.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
Exploring some “higher and better” uses — natural ones — in Montana before getting back to the daily grind!
September 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Exploring some “higher and better” uses — natural ones — in Montana before getting back to the daily grind!
"Owner lists former Bar K location on riverfront for sale, lease to new retailer"
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
August 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"Owner lists former Bar K location on riverfront for sale, lease to new retailer"
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"Lee's Summit grocery store sues over 'unconstitutional' special taxing district"
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August 19, 2025 at 6:45 PM
"Lee's Summit grocery store sues over 'unconstitutional' special taxing district"
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"Kansas City developer plans Leawood mixed-use campus with mystery corporate HQ"
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August 15, 2025 at 7:02 PM
"Kansas City developer plans Leawood mixed-use campus with mystery corporate HQ"
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"Judge dismisses historic Fed building's bankruptcy case after fires, safety concerns"
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August 14, 2025 at 2:23 PM
"Judge dismisses historic Fed building's bankruptcy case after fires, safety concerns"
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“Fiserv lease at Aspiria has protection, no matter how Royals proceed with campus loan”
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August 13, 2025 at 11:37 PM
“Fiserv lease at Aspiria has protection, no matter how Royals proceed with campus loan”
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“Downtown garage set for demolition, following partial facade collapse”
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August 12, 2025 at 10:45 PM
“Downtown garage set for demolition, following partial facade collapse”
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(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
The $232.5M Aspiria campus loan held by a Royals affiliate is set to mature tomorrow, and as of Wednesday afternoon, county records reflected no new debt secured to repay it. My look at what could happen next as the stadium saga continues:
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
August 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The $232.5M Aspiria campus loan held by a Royals affiliate is set to mature tomorrow, and as of Wednesday afternoon, county records reflected no new debt secured to repay it. My look at what could happen next as the stadium saga continues:
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
The 3-acre dirt pit once planned for Nordstrom on the Country Club Plaza caps building heights at 10 stories, or 130 feet, under KC's code. A new ordinance would change that, in a move the Plaza's owners say would grant more flexibility for a future tower.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
August 5, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The 3-acre dirt pit once planned for Nordstrom on the Country Club Plaza caps building heights at 10 stories, or 130 feet, under KC's code. A new ordinance would change that, in a move the Plaza's owners say would grant more flexibility for a future tower.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
From KCBJ's Leslie Collins: "Bar K scraps national expansion plans, abruptly shutters business"
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This is a personal blow - Bar K is where we met & rescued Sadie, who loved her "zoomies" around their park. Guessing this won't be the last Bar K headline to come.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
This is a personal blow - Bar K is where we met & rescued Sadie, who loved her "zoomies" around their park. Guessing this won't be the last Bar K headline to come.
July 29, 2025 at 6:39 PM
From KCBJ's Leslie Collins: "Bar K scraps national expansion plans, abruptly shutters business"
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
This is a personal blow - Bar K is where we met & rescued Sadie, who loved her "zoomies" around their park. Guessing this won't be the last Bar K headline to come.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
This is a personal blow - Bar K is where we met & rescued Sadie, who loved her "zoomies" around their park. Guessing this won't be the last Bar K headline to come.
"Developer's $465M master plan includes converting blighted Scarritt Building as music-themed hotel"
Alternatively: "'The next Taylor Swift' could be found in this historic KC building! Here's why!!"
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
Alternatively: "'The next Taylor Swift' could be found in this historic KC building! Here's why!!"
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July 29, 2025 at 2:31 PM
"Developer's $465M master plan includes converting blighted Scarritt Building as music-themed hotel"
Alternatively: "'The next Taylor Swift' could be found in this historic KC building! Here's why!!"
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
Alternatively: "'The next Taylor Swift' could be found in this historic KC building! Here's why!!"
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
There's been another real estate deal related to a potential Royals ballpark site — but this time, not to the team itself.
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July 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
There's been another real estate deal related to a potential Royals ballpark site — but this time, not to the team itself.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
"Fires, insurance issues drive push to dismiss historic Fed bankruptcy case"
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July 23, 2025 at 5:49 PM
"Fires, insurance issues drive push to dismiss historic Fed bankruptcy case"
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
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"Why the Country Club Plaza is appealing 2025 property values, and why that matters"
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July 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
"Why the Country Club Plaza is appealing 2025 property values, and why that matters"
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
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NEW: In letter to Gov. Kehoe, Jackson County Executive White proposes $500M-700M for Chiefs renovations under new three-way split of stadium sales tax
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(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
July 14, 2025 at 5:04 PM
NEW: In letter to Gov. Kehoe, Jackson County Executive White proposes $500M-700M for Chiefs renovations under new three-way split of stadium sales tax
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
Here's a cover story I've been chipping away at since late 2024, focused on KC's Housing Trust Fund, what affordable units it has created (not just awarded) so far and the city's need to identify long-term funding, with existing bonds running dry after 2026.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
July 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Here's a cover story I've been chipping away at since late 2024, focused on KC's Housing Trust Fund, what affordable units it has created (not just awarded) so far and the city's need to identify long-term funding, with existing bonds running dry after 2026.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
Lockton Cos. has been evaluating a potential move from its longtime Country Club Plaza HQ for well over a year.
A possible site that's been on the table: the Plaza's so-called Nordstrom site. Another sits across the state line in Kansas.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
A possible site that's been on the table: the Plaza's so-called Nordstrom site. Another sits across the state line in Kansas.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
June 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Lockton Cos. has been evaluating a potential move from its longtime Country Club Plaza HQ for well over a year.
A possible site that's been on the table: the Plaza's so-called Nordstrom site. Another sits across the state line in Kansas.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
A possible site that's been on the table: the Plaza's so-called Nordstrom site. Another sits across the state line in Kansas.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
'Old-school' entertainment venue with bowling, cocktails is coming to KC. Here's where.
See my story:
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
See my story:
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
June 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
'Old-school' entertainment venue with bowling, cocktails is coming to KC. Here's where.
See my story:
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
See my story:
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
A nonprofit tied to VanTrust Real Estate LLC has quietly taken on different housing projects around KC. I recently sat down with the firm's founder to learn more about what he hopes, in time, will become a nationwide engine addressing the affordability crisis.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
June 23, 2025 at 2:28 PM
A nonprofit tied to VanTrust Real Estate LLC has quietly taken on different housing projects around KC. I recently sat down with the firm's founder to learn more about what he hopes, in time, will become a nationwide engine addressing the affordability crisis.
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)
(www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...)