"With the anticipation of recession, everyone at C-level took astep back. It was a hiccup in the decision-making process," DaleRay, managing director in Dallas for Chicago-based Jones LangLaSalle, tells GlobeSt.com. "We're actually starting to seecompanies take action and sign. We're now seeing progress in dealsgetting done." He believes the uptick will continue or at leasthold steady for the rest of the year.

The sudden spurt most likely is a "false start. There'sdefinitely a false sense of security out there," says Greg Bennett,vice president and research director for Dallas-based SwearingenRealty Group LLC. "From a landlords' perspective, they have to havea positive outlook. There are definite opportunities for tenantscoming and it should show pretty soon."

But for now, the Q1 analysis shows some cause for optimism, amuch-needed respite from the gloom and doom of national reports forthe industry and economy alike. The Stemmons submarket, longdowntrodden due to a road project, led the market in absorptionwith 248,268 sf. However, its 9.44 million sf of buildings arestill shouldering a 34.1% vacancy. Class A rent averages $17.73 persf and class B is ringing up $14.52 per sf. The pocket has 112,144sf of sublease space and 3.1 million sf of open direct space. Aswould be expected, there were no deliveries and no starts inQ1.