DALLAS-Freshly signed office deals secure 33,358 sf of class A space around town. It's slow going, but activity isn't at a standstill and more deals are en route. Leasing agents are getting more creative and rates are dropping, says an area VP.

FT. WORTH-Healthsource Consultants preps for a move into sublease space at One Ridgmar Centre in Ft. Worth while a nonprofit organization heads to a Wells Fargo building in Dallas for its new metroplex location.

IRVING, TX-FelCor says it's too early to tell if a killed $2.7-billion merger with MeriStar Hospitality Corp. will ever return to the table. FelCor is set back $15 million for the decision, but the full impact won't come out until a third-quarter conference call.

DALLAS-Economic changes force "dollars and sense" decisions from companies looking for more space and a growing proclivity to tailor structures. As spec construction shrinks, build-to-suits swell in popularity, particularly for large users.

CARROLLTON, TX-A four-building, fully leased industrial portfolio brought a bevy of bids-- more for its location than its star-studded ownership. It abuts the Valwood Industrial Park, going to a bidder with ties to the park and plans for redevelopment.

MESQUITE, TX-Hillwood Investment Properties snags its first lease, 41,350 sf, for one of two under-construction industrial structures in Mesquite. Another 450,000 sf is waiting to be sealed for the 723,448 sf of spec development at Skyline Business Park.

DALLAS-It's a sign of the times, says Transwestern's Jack Eimer, president of the central region. Asian-backed owners switch asset managers for their 450,000-sf Centrum, a high-profile, 19-story tower. Fresh blood, fresh ideas in a sagging economy spark the change.

IRVING, TX-The Sept. 11 terrorists' attacks in New York City and Washington, DC and the subsequent economic crisis have scuttled the $2.7-billion merger of FelCor Lodging Trust and MeriStar Hospitality. Special shareholders' meetings to OK the merger are canceled.