Toys R Us has closed on 93 acres at the 1,700-acre TXI Railportin Midlothian, situated 24 miles south of Dallas and 27 milessoutheast of Ft. Worth. In line with the purchase, local and countygovernments are providing 100% tax abatements for the first twoyears and 25% for the third to ninth years of operation. DoubleFreeport tax exemptions also are in place, with Ellis Countyexpected to approve a third tier by 2001. A TXI Railport officialsays the latest pact represents an affirmation of community supportvia tax packages providing long-term distribution venues.

Toys R Us will be the first distribution center constructed inthe massive Railport and one of 10 nationwide being built by theleading toy store retailer. Toy distribution sites in Carrollton,TX, north of Dallas, and Houston will be consolidated when thestructure is completed, confirms Al Boschen, Toys R Us director ofasset management.

Toys R Us is the second company to be lured by Railport's wideopen spaces, which comes in 50- to 200-acre parcels primarilyticketed for industrial developments. American National Power hasabout $750 million invested in its 90-acre site.