My long list of boycotted companies . . .

... just got longer, with the addition of H&R Block.

Demolition for Block HQ is set to finish Saturday
Jim Davis
Staff Writer

Demolition will be done by Saturday for buildings Kansas City acquired through eminent domain to make way for H&R Block Inc.'s new downtown headquarters, a city spokeswoman said Monday.

Donna Mandelbaum, a spokeswoman for Kansas City's Capital Improvements Management Office, said The Gold Mine Lounge at 1333 Main St. has been razed. To be leveled are buildings that housed American Formal Wear Co. Inc. at 1331 Main St. and a seasonal haunted house called the Main Street Morgue at 1327 Main St.

Ben Penner, whose family owns the American Formal Wear and Main Street Morgue buildings, said Monday that he expects to file a lawsuit in Jackson County Circuit Court disputing the amount of the award the Economic Development Corp. of Kansas City offered for his family's property.

Andi Udris, the EDC's CEO, had offered $750,000.

Sherwin Epstein, a lawyer with Sherwin L. Epstein & Associates who represents The Gold Mine's owner, said Monday that he has filed a lawsuit in Jackson County. Robert and Faye Reid seek a jury trial on a condemnation award of $333,000. A trial date hasn't been set, Epstein said.

H&R Block will conduct a ceremony Oct. 12 to begin construction of the headquarters at 13th and Main streets. Its opening is planned for 2006.

Block ranks No. 2 on The Business Journal's list of area public companies.

I don't do business with people that steal other people's property.