KATY, TX-Souper Salad head to Katy in the far west submarket and Sears Roebuck picks a location in the northwest. For the San Antonio-based restaurant chain, the opening will mark its 14th in the Houston region.

HOUSTON-Georgantis & Walters LP is moving to a ninth-floor office in Houston CBD's historic Esperson Buildings. Urban legend has it that the ghost of Mellie Esperson saunters the floors of two-building complex.

HOUSTON-RS Investments closes a $19-million loan for the 220,000-sf 801 Travis office building in the heart of Houston's CBD. Tom Melody of L.J. Melody & Co. arranged the financing through Bear Stearns.

GALVESTON, TX-Despite strong city support, Galveston voters say "no" to a proposed merger with the Port of Houston. Under the plan, Houston would have kicked in $30 million over the next 10 years and serve as the merged port's manager.

SUGAR LAND, TX-Work starts on a 32-acre mixed-use project to develop a town square in Sugar Land. The project will bring 200,000 sf of retail space, 750,000 sf of class A office space, 300-room Marriott, conference center and new city hall.

HOUSTON-Galveston and Houston port officials say voters' rejection of a merger won't stymie growth. Houston will still seek ways to corner all Gulf of Mexico container-shipping trade and Galveston will look for avenues to beef up business.

HOUSTON-Millenial Assurance renews a 7,360-sf office lease at the Woodland Plaza in the Westchase submarket. The signing keeps occupancy at 70% in the 224,356-sf suburban office building at 11490 Westheimer.

MONTGOMERY, TX-An 87,000-sf atrium office building and 40,000-sf underground bomb shelter are being made over into a corporate campus. The complex, valued at $20 million, was built in the 1980s by a nephew of Madame Chiang Kai-shek.