HOUSTON-Progressive County Mutual Insurance of New Mayfield, OH, has leased freestanding buildings in the far southwest and north submarkets to try out a new concept, drive-through claims centers. One is 28,000 sf and the other, 21,000 sf.

HOUSTON-The largest space taker is MC Distributors, which is planning a move from 10,000 sf into 38,400 sf in a relocation on the East Side. On the South Side, a wholesale distributor signs for 8,024 sf.

HOUSTON-Citywide vacancy is 18.2% and negative absorption's 315,021 sf, a market barometer that's practically evenly split between the CBD and the suburbs. One of the biggest challenges is the energy industry's control of 37% of the CBD office space.

FRIENDSWOOD, TX-Brook Mays Music takes 9,376 sf in two-tenant, freestanding building along the Gulf Freeway, signing a 10-year lease to gain extra space in the Houston suburb. The retailer will relocate from a nearby location in June.

HOUSTON-A window furnishings distributor takes 10,800 sf in a slight downsizing for the northwest submarket and a maritime company sequesters 14,529 sf in the city's north quadrant. The distributor is eyeing a midsummer move-in.

MISSION, TX-State and local officials gather today to introduce the newest employer in the Rio Grande Valley, T-Mobile USA Inc. of Bellevue, WA. The firm signed a long-term lease in a county with a 13.3% unemployment rate.

HOUSTON-A new company, Southern Worldwide Logistics, takes 256,435 sf or about half of a warehouse along Wingfoot Road. The second deal puts DC Steel & Service into 10,000 sf at a Hempstead Highway property.

HOUSTON-Blinds, Wallpaper & Draperies takes 5,064 sf in the northwest submarket and Dream Bouquet lines up 1,888 sf in the far southeast sector. The wallpaper shop signs a long-term lease in a lateral submarket move.