<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001045450-13-000062.txt : 20130919
<SEC-HEADER>0001045450-13-000062.hdr.sgml : 20130919
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130702155305
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001045450-13-000062
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130702

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EPR PROPERTIES
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001045450
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				431790877
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		909 WALNUT STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64106
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8164721700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		909 WALNUT STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64106

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ENTERTAINMENT PROPERTIES TRUST
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970904
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
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		<title>Comment Letter 7.13</title>
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<a name="s37170baa0d454f0b9f0c8529c039a8bc"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">EPR Properties </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">909 Walnut Street, Suite 200</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Kansas City, MO 64106</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">(816) 472-1700</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:right;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Via EDGAR Transmission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">July 2, 2013</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Division of Corporation Finance</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">100 F. Street, N.E.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Attn:  Daniel L. Gordon, Branch Chief</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:96px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Re:</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">EPR Properties </font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:96px;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:96px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Filed February 27, 2013</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:96px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">File No. 001-13561</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Dear Mr. Gordon:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Set forth below are the responses of EPR Properties (the "</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Company</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">," "</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">EPR</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">," "</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">we</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">," "</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">us</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">" or "</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">our</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">"), to the comment letter, dated June 21, 2013 (the "</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Comment Letter</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">"), of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance (the "</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Staff</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">") of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Commission</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">") with respect to the above-referenced filing of the Company. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">For the convenience of the Staff, we have set forth below the text of the Staff's comment from the Comment Letter in bold typeface followed by the Company's response thereto.  The heading and numbered paragraph in this letter correspond to the heading and numbered paragraph in the Comment Letter from the Staff.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Accounting for Acquisitions, page 63</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:48px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:24px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We have reviewed your response to comment 3. Please provide us with additional details about your criteria for determining when an acquisition is a business combination.  Please specify each of the key criteria you evaluate for your typical acquisition types, and tell us why you believe each acquisition type does or does not meet the definition of a business. Please revise your accounting policy related to acquisitions in future filings to disclose these criteria, and show us your intended disclosure in your response.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Response</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">EPR reviews the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805 on Business Combinations ("</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Topic 805</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">") to determine whether an acquisition should be treated as a business combination or an asset acquisition and applies the definition of the term "business" and related guidance set forth in Topic 805 to the transaction.  If the assets acquired do not meet the definition </font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s37170baa0d454f0b9f0c8529c039a8bc"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">of a business under Topic 805, EPR accounts for the transaction as an asset acquisition. If the assets acquired meet the definition of a business under Topic 805, thereby making the acquisition a business combination, EPR applies the acquisition method for a business combination as provided for in Topic 805.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Topic 805 defines the term "business" as "[a]n integrated set of activities and assets that is capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return in the form of dividends, lower costs, or other economic benefits directly to investors or other owners, members, or participants."  Topic 805 sets forth additional guidance on what constitutes a business and provides that a business is comprised of three elements: input; process; and output.  Topic 805 defines the first element, input, as "[a]ny economic resource that creates, or has the ability to create, outputs when one or more processes are applied to it."  Topic 805 defines the second element, process, as "[a]ny system, standard, protocol, convention, or rule that when applied to an input or inputs, creates or has the ability to create outputs."  Topic 805 provides examples of what constitutes a process, which include "strategic management processes, operational processes, and resource management processes," but which typically exclude "[a]ccounting, billing, payroll, and other administrative systems."  With respect to the third element, output, Topic 805 provides that outputs are created by the combination of the first two elements (</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;">i.e.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">, inputs and processes applied to those inputs), but are not required for an integrated set to qualify as a business.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">In conducting an analysis of the application of Topic 805, EPR reviews the detailed definitions of inputs, processes and outputs for each acquisition.  Typically, EPR acquires single occupancy, special purpose properties that are leased under long-term triple-net leases.  Under a triple-net lease, the lessee is responsible for paying all expenses associated with operating and maintaining the property in addition to rent.  These expenses include taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance expense.  The lessee under a triple-net lease is also generally responsible for maintenance capital expenditures. If EPR acquires multiple properties in one transaction (for example, a portfolio of several theatres), these properties are usually leased to one tenant under a long-term master triple-net lease or if separate leases are entered into, each</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#32;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">lease generally contains a cross-default provision pursuant to which a default under one lease would result in a default under each other lease with that operator.  In each of these cases, EPR is not operating such properties in any way.  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Accordingly, in applying Topic 805 to these types of acquisitions, we believe the first element necessary to qualify as a business under Topic 805 is satisfied in that it consists of an economic resource, a property or multiple properties, which would provide an input or inputs needed to produce outputs.  However, in our typical case, where EPR has a single master triple-net lease or multiple cross-</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">defaulted </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">triple-net leases covering all of the properties in the transaction, EPR conducts no operations at the properties necessary to produce the outputs and, therefore, the second element necessary to qualify as a business under Topic 805 is not met.  As a result of the second element not being satisfied (</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;">i.e.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">, EPR does not complete any processes at the properties to produce outputs), these types of transactions are accounted for as asset acquisitions.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Alternatively, we do from time to time, enter into property acquisitions with shorter term in-place leases that are not triple-net. An example of this is a multi-tenant entertainment retail center. In these cases, the leases require EPR to be involved in processes such as administering common area maintenance ("</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">CAM</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">"), allocating and billing such CAM by tenant according to the underlying lease provisions and providing frequent leasing activities. In addition, EPR is generally responsible for planning and executing maintenance capital expenditures under these leases. In these cases, the acquisitions would satisfy each element of the definition of a business under Topic 805 as there are </font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s37170baa0d454f0b9f0c8529c039a8bc"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">inputs, processes and outputs, and such acquisitions are accounted for by EPR as business combinations.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We will clarify our disclosure on Accounting for Acquisitions to explain the difference between the accounting for asset acquisitions versus business combinations in our next Annual Report on Form 10-K. Included below are the three proposed paragraphs that would replace the first two existing paragraphs:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:96px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:96px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Accounting for Acquisitions</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:96px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:96px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Upon acquisitions of real estate properties, the Company determines if the acquisition meets the criteria to be accounted for as a business combination set forth in FASB ASC Topic 805 on Business Combinations (Topic 805).  The Company evaluates the acquisition to determine if it meets the definition of a business as set forth in Topic 805, including analyzing the inputs, processes and outputs.  The Company typically enters into transactions with single-tenants under long-term triple-net leases which do not meet the definition of a business as the Company is not involved in the processes of maintaining or operating the properties. Generally, a transaction meets the criteria of a business combination when it includes multiple tenants with frequent leasing activities and common area maintenance processes that the Company is required to manage.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:96px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:96px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">If the transaction is determined not to be a business combination, it is accounted for as an asset acquisition.  Costs incurred for asset acquisitions and development properties, including transaction costs, are capitalized.  For asset acquisitions, the Company allocates the purchase price and other related costs incurred to the real estate assets acquired based on recent independent appraisals and management judgment. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:96px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">If the acquisition is determined to be a business combination, the Company records the fair value of acquired tangible assets (consisting of land, building, tenant improvements, and furniture, fixtures and equipment) and identified intangible assets and liabilities (consisting of above and below market leases, in-place leases, tenant relationships and assumed financing that is determined to be above or below market terms) as well as any noncontrolling interest in accordance Topic 805.  In addition, in accordance with Topic 805, acquisition-related costs in connection with business combinations are expensed as incurred, rather than capitalized. Costs related to such transactions, as well as costs associated with terminated transactions, are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income as transaction costs. Transaction costs expensed totaled $[X] million, $0.4 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">The remainder of the disclosure in this section is expected to remain the same.  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">* * * * * * * * *</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s37170baa0d454f0b9f0c8529c039a8bc"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">The Company acknowledges that:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:72px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing;</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:72px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:72px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at (816) 472-1700, or Craig L. Evans, our outside securities counsel, at (816) 691-3186, if you have any questions regarding this submission.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:justify;padding-left:288px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:justify;padding-left:288px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:justify;padding-left:288px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Very truly yours,</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:justify;padding-left:288px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">EPR PROPERTIES </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">/s/ Mark A. Peterson</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Mark A. Peterson </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">cc:</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">David M. Brain</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">President and Chief Executive Officer</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">EPR Properties </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Gregory K. Silvers</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">EPR Properties</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Neil E. Sprague</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">EPR Properties</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Craig L. Evans</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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