(Kansas City, Mo.) Kansas City Public Schools and Copaken Brooks are announcing the purchase of the former Kansas City Public Library and Board of Education Building, located at 1211 McGee St. in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, effective September 12, 2019. An investment group including Principals of Copaken Brooks and Square Deal Investments purchased the property.

The mid-century modern, 11-story building – which once also housed the downtown public library – has been vacant since the district moved to its current location at 2901 Troost in 2016. The property includes 261,800 square feet and a 246-space parking garage on a 2.58-acre site just steps away from the Sprint Center and the Power & Light District.

“We’re glad to have assisted the school district with this deal, and we’re excited to bring new life into one of downtown’s landmark key blocks for development,” said Jon Copaken, Principal at Copaken Brooks. “The property is in a perfect location—not only on a key strategic block but one that is perfect for a mixed-use concept in the heart of the thriving Central Business District.”

Kansas City Public Schools was represented by Aaron Mesmer and Matt Levi from Block Real Estate Services.

“Almost four years ago, the Kansas City School Board made the decision to relocate the Board of Education headquarters to 2901 Troost — a strategic move that places our main offices in the heart of the city, central to our students and their families,” Pattie Mansur, KCPS Board Chair. “We are extremely proud to be part of the growth and redevelopment of the Troost Corridor today, and to see how our former downtown headquarters will add to the vitality of downtown Kansas City.”

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About Copaken Brooks: Copaken Brooks is a full-service commercial real estate firm headquartered in Kansas City and serving the Midwest. The company’s full suite of services includes investment acquisition and sales, tenant representation and HQ relocations, condo management, property management, asset management, development, leasing (office, retail, medical, underground and industrial), and construction management. Learn more at copaken-brooks.com.

About Kansas City Public Schools: The purpose of Kansas City Public Schools is to provide a quality education that prepares all of our students, regardless of background or circumstances, for success in college, career and life. We will produce scholars who are high-achieving critical thinkers, prepared to succeed in a constantly changing world and engaged in the improvement of their communities. KCPS will accomplish this goal by providing teachers with the appropriate training, resources and support they need to develop the whole child. Learn more at www.kcpublicschools.org.

About Block Real Estate Services: Block Real Estate Services, LLC (BRES) is a full service commercial real estate company managing over 42 million square feet of retail, office, industrial, and multifamily properties for equity partnerships and third party owners. BRES continues its role as the most comprehensive commercial real estate firm in Kansas City by providing and specializing in real estate brokerage services, tenant representation, investment services, asset and property management, economic incentives consultation, financial services, construction and development services and the Block Funds. Learn more at: www.blockllc.com.