AUSTIN-A move toward signing concessions has started where else, but in the city's northwest submarket. It's been the hardest hit for high-tech layoffs and sublease space availability. And, says a researcher, the bait is pretty aggressive.

DALLAS-David B. Deniger, co-founder of Olympus Real Estate Corp., officially has taken control of the operation. Tom Hicks, John Muse and five other Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst partners are taking a back seat as Deniger guides the firm's future. Coming up is a West Coast office.

AUSTIN-Two of the city's high-tech firms are moving to Bee Cave Road. Inside Outside and Cobalt have signed for about 17,000 sf. The leases take some more sublease space off the Austin market.

FT. WORTH-Nine leases, including some renewals, have been finalized for office buildings and a retail center in Ft. Worth and Arlington. The 57,206-sf total includes a few displaced tenants from the 2000 tornado who decided to stay in subleased space.

ADDISON, TX-Silver Cinemas International and Oaktree Capital have inked a $40-million definitive agreement that would pull the theater chain from bankruptcy. Under-performers might close. The popular Inwood Theatre is sure to make the buyer's cut.

AUSTIN-Fired Up has struck a franchise deal with a major player in the United Arab Emirate. Four UAE eateries will be opened under the pact, which had been signed on the eve of today's Johnny Carino's Nile City riverboat opening in Cairo.

AUSTIN-Angelos Angelou will start reviewing data to see if a revision is in order for his popular annual forecast. The city's economy is still growing, the jobs are still coming, but market changes could alter his 2001 outlook.

AUSTIN-Fired Up has struck a franchise deal with a major player in the United Arab Emirate. Four UAE eateries will be opened under the pact, which had been signed on the eve of today's Johnny Carino's Nile City riverboat opening in Cairo.