Overheard

Pet Warehouse is expanding following a nationwide trend. In an industry that pulled in $38.4 billion last year, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Pet Warehouse plans to open a seventh store in the area in late March or early April. Co-owner and Vice President J.R. Keller said the new store would debut under a different name, which is yet to be announced. Keller said the name might replace the existing Pet Warehouse flag, which is on five locations in Springfield and on one in Joplin.

No Slowing Hammons

John Q. Hammons turned 88 on Feb. 24, but the Springfield hotel mogul continues to add properties and negotiate deals around the country. Earlier this month, Hammons told Interactive Hotel, a hospitality and lodging industry news source, that he has 15 deals in the works in 11 states and about $1.48 billion in construction coming down the pike. He’s since proposed a five-story Class A office building with first-floor retail space for city-owned land in downtown Springfield.

Creamery, Phase II

Construction of the second phase of the Jordan Valley Creamery Arts Center began this month for an arts library, two editing bays, classrooms, Springfield Symphony offices and an incubator office for an arts organization. Exterior tuck-pointing, masonry restoration and new windows also are planned. An open house is slated following the estimated June 22 completion.

CoxHealth Nabs Architect

CoxHealth has selected Dallas-based The Beck Group as the architectural firm to lead its Second Century redevelopment plan. The Beck Group was one of seven national firms considered by the CoxHealth Board of Directors Building and Grounds Committee. The board approved the committee’s choice Feb. 15. The Beck Group will partner with at least one yet-to-be-determined local architecture firm.

The crux of the plan is a five-year transformation of the health system’s north campus into CoxHealth Medical Park. The $55 million redevelopment calls for renovating the campus’ Medical Towers building and constructing buildings for Cox College of Nursing and Health Sciences, a behavioral health center and a combined location for 24-hour urgent care and the system’s family medicine residency program. Rounding out the five-year Second Century plan will be renovations at the Cox South and Cox Walnut Lawn facilities. CoxHealth officials estimated that the plan could cost about $200 million when they unveiled it a year ago.

Center City Trolley Tours

The History Museum for Springfield-Greene County and Urban Districts Alliance are offering guided tours of historic sites in center city Springfield. The March 10 and 24 tours are underwritten by The Casey Associates and Esterly Schneider Associates. The tours will last approximately one hour and will originate from the parking lot of old City Hall at 830 Boonville Ave. The first tour begins at 9 a.m., and tours will continue running until 4:30 p.m. The cost is $15 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12. Reservations can be made by calling the museum at (417) 864-1976.