AUSTIN-Years of controversy ends with last night's approval for 750,000 sf of office space, 250,000 sf of retail, 900 multifamily units and 830 single-family homes. Council OKs the plan on a 6-1 vote.

AUSTIN-Long considered under-retailed, Austin's occupancy is a solid 95%, a slight increase from six months ago. Rents, though, remained flat. But once again, retail is the commercial market's star, says NAI/Commercial Industrial Properties.

SAN ANTONIO-The San Antonio firm has six shopping centers in four Texas cities in its pipeline. All are neighbors to Wal-Mart, which one partner says has more appeal than any other retailer for the value crowd.

AUSTIN-Long considered under-retailed, Austin's occupancy is a solid 95%, a slight increase from six months ago. Rents, though, remained flat. But once again, retail is the commercial market's star, says NAI/Commercial Industrial Properties.

AUSTIN-A father-son team is rolling on a 45,000-sf office project designed for multiple tenants. The Lehtonens will market the site themselves, with plans to start in the next few weeks. The project delivers in March 2003.

AUSTIN-A 138-room Hilton unlocks the doors at 11617 Research Blvd. Alegre Hospitality is the franchise owner, with LinGate Hospitality of Ohio tapped to manage the facility positioned near some high-profile employers.

AUSTIN-A New York investor steps up to buy a 9,214-sf building along Camp Craft Road. The buyer gets a tenant signed to a five-year lease. ASC Management was seeking $1.7 million for the one-year-old structure.

AUSTIN-Occupancy overall is up slightly while rents, across the board, continue to drop. The conclusion is Austin may be close to the bottom of the cycle. It's only the second time in a decade that occupancy rose after college students left.