HOUSTON-Vantage Cos. is taking heed of research that shows a strong demand for smaller user industrial parks. That research has sparked a 198,000-sf, eight-building spec project at Blalock Road near Beltway 8 and US 290 in the northwest submarket.

HOUSTON-Caldwell Watson will kick off another college center project, a 52,000-sf undertaking with North Harris Montgomery County Community College District. The Cy-Fair College Fairbanks Center will deliver in March 2002.

HOUSTON-Three coffeehouses and development rights for six more have changed hands in a $1-million deal between Irvine, CA-based Diedrich Coffee and Seattle-based Magna Cum Latte. The sell-off is for Diedrich's entire Texas portfolio.

HOUSTON-Hines jumps on board an energy conservation call, vowing to double its number of EPA-designated Energy Star buildings. Five of Hines' Houston office structures already carry the designation.

HOUSTON-North Brunswick Development Co. is settling into 16,460 sf at the four-building Portwall-Market Street Warehouses. The deal's brokers say more tenants are seeking short-term leases these days while everyone waits for the economy to rebound.

HOUSTON-Weingarten Realty Investors is on the move in Memphis, adding four shopping centers totaling 616,000 sf to its six holdings in that region. Thus far this year, Weingarten has invested $383 million in 24 retail acquisitions in three states.

HOUSTON-San Antonio-based USAA has bought into Levcor's redeveloped 1001 McKinney, inking a joint venture pact just as the building reaches 70% occupancy. Full lease-up is predicted by year-end.

THE WOODLANDS, TX-Tomorrow heralds a landmark groundbreaking for Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. The eight-acre Woodlands site, upon completion, will bring the consolidation of 600 office workers in Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma.