KANSAS CITY—C. J. Foods, a manufacturer of all-natural dry pet foods and treats, has decided to open an executive office in the KC Animal Health Corridor, a concentration of more than 300 animal health companies in the metro area. It has not chosen an exact location yet. “After we reviewed data on both KC and Omaha, it was determined that KC has a greater ability to attract the type of talent that we need as we continue our explosive growth in the coming years,” says Tod Morgan, president and chief executive officer of C. J. Foods. The company, which was assisted by the Kansas City Area Development Council, will build a core group of senior level executives and add employees as the company grows.

DES PLAINES, IL—CORFAC International recognized four individuals and four member firms with Standards of Excellence Awards during the 2017 Fall Summit Awards Dinner in Denver on September 15, 2017. The awards recognize members for their dedication and commitment to the CORFAC International affiliate network as well as member firms that demonstrate excellence. “The CORFAC network includes so many top-shelf people and companies that it is always a challenge to single out a few for special recognition,” says Ray Lyons, the group's president. Individual recipients include: John Homsher, of Podolsky Circle/CORFAC International, Des Plaines, IL, received the Charlie King MVP Award for service to CORFAC, including serving as the organization's president in 2016. Adam Tarantur, also of Podolsky, received the Olen Monsees Award. Podolsky Circle also won a platinum Standard of Excellence Award as a firm.

DEALTRACKER

KANSAS CITY—DataBank officials this week said they would build a new 50,000-square -foot state-of-the-art, purpose-built data center in Lenexa, KS, a Kansas City suburb. It will offer a variety of IT business services including compliant colocation and cloud solutions for HIPAA/HiTech, PCI-DSS, FISMA, and FedRAMP. “Building a third data center in Kansas City demonstrates the confidence we have in this market,” says Raul K. Martynek, chief executive officer of Dallas-based DataBank. “Kansas City is a great place to do business, and we've seen consistent demand from local and regional enterprises for the quality data center space and services we offer.” The company evaluated several markets across the US and chose to expand in Kansas City due to its availability of utility power and network providers. “KC offers a thriving tech hub environment, and will continue to grow thanks to DataBank,” says Tim Cowden, president and chief executive officer, Kansas City Area Development Council.

MADISON, WI—Marcus & Millichap recently helped complete the sale of River's Edge and Fordem Towers, two multifamily properties with a total of nine buildings and 420 units in Madison, WI. The properties sold for $37 million, or $88,095 per unit. “The acquisition of these two, well-located value-add assets allowed an out-of-state investment group to increase its foothold in the prestigious Madison market,” says Matthew Whiteside, senior managing director, investments, in the firm's Milwaukee office.

Whiteside represented the seller in the transaction, an IL-based LLC, and procured the buyer, an LLC based in CO. The properties are located approximately two miles east of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the state capitol. River's Edge was completed in two phases, one in 1974 and the second in 1984. The property has 312 units in seven, three-story buildings. Fordem Towers was built in 1982 and has 108 units in two seven-story buildings.

NASHVILLE—Podolsky Circle recently sourced the successful purchase of 575 Brick Church Park in Nashville's northern sub-market, on the behalf of Next Realty. The off-market transaction marks Next's first industrial acquisition. Built in 1994, 575 Brick Church Park has 51,000 square feet and offers immediate access to I-65, I-24 and Briley Pky. Fiserv, Inc., a US provider of financial services technology, leases the entire facility and has occupied 575 Brick Church Park since April of 2006. “Our team identified this facility for our client due to its centralized location and long-term tenancy,” says managing principal Alissa Adler. The Podolsky advisory team comprised of Adler, principal John Homsher, and senior vice president Paul Tesdal, represented Next Realty. “This is a strategic asset for Fiserv, Inc. with 45,000 square feet of production area and a fully air-conditioned facility,” adds Adler. “The property is expandable by 15,000 square feet should Fiserv, Inc. require additional space during its tenancy.”

CHICAGO—Dayton Street Partners has preleased its newest project at 1500 W. Carroll. Neato Agency (6,350 SF), Limitless Coffee (9,450 SF) and Breather (3,100 SF) have signed on for approximately 50% of the property. The company expects the balance to lease-up quickly now that construction is complete. It acquired the 40,000-square-foot building in September 2016 and quickly repositioned the property for today's creative office user. The developer spent four million dollars adding new exterior windows; new bathrooms and HVAC on each floor; new HVAC, a new lobby, stairwells and lighting; new fire and life safety; new roof; bike garage; a new rooftop deck; and a 42-car lot. According to Howard Wedren, managing principal, the firm plans to develop another 30,000-square-foot office building on the adjacent land. Cushman & Wakefield oversees leasing for the property.