N. RICHLAND HILLS, TX-The Austin investment group secures its second retail deed in six months in Northeast Tarrant County. The 80%-leased property sells at a 10% cap in a start to finish of 60 days. About $100,000 will go to upgrades and the lease-up strategy.

FORT WORTH-Dallas and Fort Worth share in the good fortune, but the largest deal goes to the smaller of the two cities where the first tenant, 54,586 sf, goes through the door of an 801,174-sf distribution center, sold in November 2002 by Winn-Dixie.

RICHARDSON, TX-Inside real estate sources stand behind the whispers on the street that Franklin Street Properties won the Collins Crossing complex with a closing price that fell between $142 per sf and $148 per sf. It's said to be the highest collected in today's marketplace.

CARROLLTON, TX-BRW Paper Co. and Partners Converting go hand-in-hand when it comes to locations. Both have left Distribution Way, grabbed a combined 48,600 sf of extra space and signed the line for a total 93,451 sf in a Bradley Lane distribution center.

DALLAS-Eric Langford wins the senior vice president's job in a face-off with several leading professionals. As he guides the team for a Texas expansion, Langford too will be pounding the pavement to "hunt out" opportunity hotspots.

FARMERS BRANCH, TX-A 116,000-sf building, bought empty six months ago, is being retooled for its first tenant, Unique Motorcars, amid talks to bed down the building for the long term. The keys turn June 1 for the custom car maker.

DALLAS-The US economy will hit the comeback trail in the second quarter, but it will be far from a high-spirited rise. Given the usual lag time, it will be 2004, maybe 2005, before commercial real estate is collecting its due rent, say those in the know.

PLANO, TX-Hungry investors, limited available product and an expiring three-to-five-year hold strategy push the Hunt Properties' package to market. The no-ask package is expected to draw about $50 million due to market conditions, location and quality.