DALLAS-In the coming weeks, eight cranes will be up on the skyline in the birthing of a bustling urban center. A 26-story, mixed-use tower will break ground and a 30,000-sf grocer will be announced, just two of a half dozen upcoming announcements.

DALLAS-Criterion Development Co. lines up General Investment & Development Cos. as equity investor for a project pipeline in the Northeast and Texas. The deal comes with a ready-made pool of buyers and financing arms.

DALLAS-Steering the play is Meridian Global Investors, an international investment services group for Cresa Partners Capital Markets. Managing partner Ron Miller takes the helm with up to $350 million of possible equity and plans for a 2005 fund.

DALLAS-The locally based Mohr Partners picks up the pair of metropolises in a "true merger" with Atlanta-based Intresinc, led by a trio of CoreNet leaders with more than a combined 90 years in the corporate real estate sector.

LEWISVILLE, TX-Chelton Inc. is planning an April 2005 relocation within the park, signing a five-year lease to get extra room for headquarters and production teams. Finish-out begins immediately on flex office space emptied about a year ago.

DALLAS-Transcontinental Realty Investors will sell 95% of its stake in the 412,526-sf, class A tower, but hold onto a general partner status in the deal with Deutsche Capital Management. The closing is set for mid-week.

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX-A Phoenix couple, planning a 1031 Exchange, trades the 95%-leased Mill Valley Apartments to CNC Investments of Houston. The deal's upside, says the broker, lies in an inevitable market recovery.

RICHARDSON, TX-The Dallas developer gets an offer that beats the asking price in a 10-day marketing of a Quik-Way Center on 1.7 acres at a primary junction. The San Francisco buyer gets three tenants, all guaranteed to be in place for the long term.