Dallas Business Journal articles from February 1999

Dallas Business Journal archives from February 1999

Hotel limits considered; extended stay glut viewed as 'crisis.'.(Lewisville, Texas)(Industry Overview)
February 26, 1999... LEWISVILLE - Spurred on by hoteliers who say Lewisville is becoming overbuilt with extended-stay hotels, city officials here are considering whether to crack down on such properties. Experts say the move will be closely watched by other...

Small firm builds big plants.(Panda Energy International Inc. develops 1,000 megawatt electric power plant in Paris, Texas)
February 26, 1999... Little Panda Energy develops $400 million Lamar County facility, China, Nepal projects NORTH DALLAS - A little-known, privately held Dallas company is developing a mammoth, 1.000-megawatt electric power plant in the Texas town of Paris,...

Company's exodus underscores flap over Freeport tax.(Four Seasons Industrial Services Inc. to leave Copell, Texas)
February 26, 1999... COPPELL - A big manufacturer is planning to leave Coppell, most likely for Lewisville or Grapevine, taking 400 to 500 employees with it. And Four Seasons, a maker of air-conditioning and heater-replacement parts, is citing the lack of...

Partners plot retail center.(East Dallas, Texas)
February 26, 1999... EAST DALLAS - Despite an abundance of existing retail space in the area, two Dallas developers are planning to tear down apartments and put up a $20 million shopping center near the intersection of Skillman Street and Abrams Road. Terry...

TI spins off light sensor business.(Texas Instruments Inc. licenses technology to Texas Advanced Optoelectronics Solutions)(Company Profile)
February 26, 1999... Texas Advanced opens new optoelectronics company in Piano PLANO - Texas Instruments Inc. is getting out of a small but profitable business: Making light sensors that can incorporate other functions like motion detection, identifying...

Delta Distributors to build new facility in Lancaster.(Lancaster, Texas)
February 26, 1999... LANCASTER - The fourth largest chemical distributor in the United States plans to build a $10 million complex in Lancaster that will create 50 jobs. Delta Distributors Inc., based in the East Texas town of Longview, will break ground on...

Novation names new CEO after Hersma resigns.(Mark McKenna replaces James Hersma as head of supply-chain management company)
February 26, 1999... McKenna is familiar with GPO's operations LAS COLINAS - After just 13 months on the job, James Hersma has resigned from his post as CEO of Novation, a mammoth supply-chain management company. Novation was formed in 1997 by...

Fast-growing Summit leases Tollway Office Center I.(Summit Acceptance Corp.)
February 26, 1999... FAR NORTH DALLAS - In a move that will nearly quadruple the company's space, Summit Acceptance Corp. will lease the entire Tollway Office Center I building. The 120,000-square-foot, two-story building at 3901 Dallas Parkway was developed...

Valhi shells out $16 million for titanium shares.(corporate raider Harold C. Simmons buys shares of Titanium Metals Corp.)
February 26, 1999... Decision to buy 2 million shares may signal Timet's stock is turning around DOWNTOWN DALLAS - Former corporate raider Harold C. Simmons and his local conglomerate, Valhi Inc., have snapped up about 2 million shares of the top U.S....

Primedia Workplace lays off 100, changes direction.(Primedia Workplace Learning)
February 26, 1999... CARROLLTON - Primedia Workplace Learning slashed more than 100 jobs at its Carrollton headquarters after it was forced to close five unprofitable product lines. The company, formerly Westcott Communications, on Feb. 22 laid off 109...

PC Service Source gears up for turnaround.
February 26, 1999... Company reorganizes, focuses on attracting richer customer mix NORTH DALLAS - Having reported another year of disappointing financial results, PC Service Source Inc. is ready for a turnaround. Down the road, a sale might even be in...

Romac strives to fill nursing shortage needs.(Romac HealthCare)
February 26, 1999... Company that offers full benefits to workers plans to open four local offices PARK CENTRAL - With no sign that the nursing shortage is letting up, area hospitals and staffing agencies are hunkering down for a long struggle. ...

Nokia bids for arena name.(mobile phone manufacturer bids for rights for a sports arena in Dallas, Texas)
February 19, 1999... Arena Group seeking premium price DOWNTOWN DALLAS - Mobile phone manufacturer Nokia Corp. is bidding seriously to put its name on the forthcoming home of the NBA Dallas Mavericks and NHL Dallas Stars, industry sources say. To win the...

Presbyterian keeps up with baby boom.(Presbyterian Hospital to expand its Margo Perot Center)
February 19, 1999... Facility plans $21 million expansion of Perot Center, other site improvements NORTH DALLAS - Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is embarking on a $21 million expansion of its Margo Perot Center to better handle a baby boom. The center,...

Atlantic Gulf prepared to sell 570-acre Frisco project.(real estate developer looking for a buyer for a lot in Texas)
February 19, 1999... FRISCO - With only 30 days left before delivery of the first 25 homes in its Trails of West Frisco project, a Miami-based developer is looking for a buyer to take the 570-acre tract off its hands. Developer Atlantic Gulf Communities Corp....

Joint venture plans new industrial park in DeSoto.(DW Distribution Inc. and Insignia Commercial Investments Group Inc. partners to build park in Texas)
February 19, 1999... DeSOTO - Dallas-based DW Distribution Inc. and mega-developer Insignia Commercial Investments Group Inc. are planning a 150-acre industrial park in DeSoto on land purchased from a joint venture of Ross Perot Jr.'s Hillwood Development Corp....

DeCristo Concrete sets up operations in Dallas.(construction equipment firm)
February 19, 1999... California-based company also eyeing North Texas as new headquarters site STEMMONS CORRIDOR - A California construction-equipment manufacturer is starting up production in Dallas, hoping to cash in on the North Texas building boom. ...

O-K Paper branches out into industrial market.(Olmsted-Kirk Paper Co. acquires Altex Chemical Equipment Inc.)
February 19, 1999... Buying Altex Chemical will strengthen its Texas presence STEMMONS CORRIDOR - In all industry characterized by small margins, consolidation and cheap imports from Asia, one of the region's two large, independent distributors of fine paper...

Henderson Avenue is catching furniture fever.(furniture stores in Dallas, Texas)
February 19, 1999... Affordable rent, future pedestrian bridge draws mom-and-pop stores KNOX-HENDERSON - Heavy interest from national furniture tenants in the Knox Street area of Dallas has planted the seeds for another home furnishings mecca across Central...

Team Ranch to develop 470 acres in Benbrook.(real estate developer to develop residential and commercial projects in Tarrant County, Texas)
February 19, 1999... BENBROOK - A Wichita, Kan.-based partnership has plans to develop 470 acres of land - known as the Team Ranch in Benbrook - with homes, apartments and commercial projects. Team Ranch Partnership Ltd. plans a subdivision of 63 homes on 27...

Seat maker taps Alliance.(Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH and Co.'s formation of its subsidiary, Recaro Aircraft Seating Inc., based at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Texas)
February 12, 1999... ALLIANCE - A division of the world's biggest manufacturer of specialty seats hopes to seize a bigger share of the U.S. aircraft market with a new plant at Fort Worth Alliance Airport. Germany-based Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. has...

Pumping profits.(convenience stores in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas incorporating gasoline stations in their business establishments)
February 12, 1999... FORT WORTH - For Dan E. Tippen, the new Minyard Food Store gas station at Berry and Miller streets is the greatest thing since sliced bread. "It's cool because you can shop and get gas," he said while filling up. "It is just very...

Inet sniffing around for expansion space.(search of Inet Technologies Inc. for office space expansion)
February 12, 1999... PLANO - Fast-growing Inet Technologies Inc. is soliciting proposals for 150,000 square feet of expansion space in Richardson or Plano, real estate sources say. Company officials say they have no immediate plans to move, but have hired...

Firm turning Dallas mall into office building.(Provident Realty Advisors Inc.'s conversion of the Northtown Mall in Texas)
February 12, 1999... FAR NORTH DALLAS - Provident Realty Advisors Inc. is completing the first-ever conversion of a Dallas mall into an office building. Provident is spending about $9 million to renovate 266,000 square feet of the Northtown Mall, at the...

Comwell expanding health services downtown.(Comwell Health Systems' office in Dallas, Texas)
February 12, 1999... DOWNTOWN - The "doctor for workaholics" is planning additional outlets for its brand of primary care. Comwell Health. Systems' first health center in the Plaza of the Americas complex is nearing its two-year mark. The company opened in...

Big Sky Airlines moves to new D/FW terminal.(headquarters relocation of Big Sky Airlines at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas)
February 12, 1999... D/FW INTERNATIONAL - Montana-based Big Sky Airlines will relocate its southern headquarters at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to larger digs in a different terminal. The move from Terminal B to Terminal E will make it easier for...

More than most anything, Hicks wants to win.(Tom Hicks, owner of the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars sports teams)
February 12, 1999... IRVING - One thing clearly distinguishes Tom Hicks from the cast of ultra-wealthy businessmen who have bought sports teams through the years: He wants to make money in sports - a lot of it. Of course, no team owner would ever admit to a...

Roofing leader Elcor tries hand in high-tech coatings.(Dallas, Texas-based Elcor Corp.)
February 12, 1999... FAR NORTH DALLAS - Long acknowledged as a top U.S. maker of premium roofing shingles, Dallas-based Elcor Corp. is maneuvering for the lead in another industry: providing conductive coatings for high-tech equipment. Not coincidentally,...

Granada owners embroiled in legal fight.(lawsuit and counter-suit filed by Brian Schultz and Milledge A. Hart IV, co-owners of the Granada Entertainment Enterprises Inc.)
February 12, 1999... LOWER GREENVILLE - A power struggle between the owners of Granada Entertainment Enterprises Inc. has spilled over into Dallas County Court. Brian Schultz and Milledge A. Hart IV have filed lawsuits that accuse each other of seizing...

Monterey Networks leases new space, plans to hire 50.(Monterey Networks Inc.'s office space expansion in Richardson, Texas)
February 12, 1999... RICHARDSON - Monterey Networks Inc., a start-up maker of routers used in fiber-optic networks, is moving to a much larger space, where it plans to add 50 workers this year. The 60-employee company will sublease 40,000 square feet of space...

ATC growth will create 200 new jobs.(Around the Clock Freightliner Group Inc.)
February 5, 1999... Freightliner truck dealerships rolling into FW, Lancaster LANCASTER - An Oklahoma City company is building two new Freightliner truck dealerships in the Metroplex, creating about 200 jobs. Family-owned Around the Clock Freightliner...

Uptight in Uptown: rising land values put are tenants in limbo.(Dallas, Texas)
February 5, 1999... UPTOWN - Some high-profile businesses in the Uptown area of Dallas may be forced to shut their doors or move to other locations. The Communities Foundation of Texas Inc. has been signing short-term leases with the 20 restaurant, retail...

Firm's caskets offer 'insight.'.(WhiteLight L.L.C.)
February 5, 1999... OAK LAWN - The former vice president and general manager of Dallas radio stations KTXQ-FM (102.1) and KBFB-FM (97.9) has tuned into a new business: customized caskets. Thirty-year broadcast veteran Patrick Fant introduced the unusual...

Giants gobbling up regional CPA firms.
February 5, 1999... FAR NORTH DALLAS - For Michael Wallace, managing partner at Dallas accounting firm Wallace Sanders & Co., the choice came down to this: Sign up with one of the big corporations that are snapping up regional firms across the nation - or...

Five Econo Lube franchises under fire.(Econo Lube N' Tune)
February 5, 1999... Unanswered BBB complaints, California troubles plague Metroplex outlets Customer service problems that landed an auto-repair chain in hot water with regulators in its home state of California appear to have crept into the company's...

Millenium Center's biggest tenant is moving out.(EMC Mortgage Corp.)
February 5, 1999... EMC Mortgage to occupy more space at MacArthur Ridge; DCURD agreement could aid future leasings LAS COLINAS - Millennium Center, one of the premier office buildings here, will lose its largest tenant to a newly constructed building. ...

Floodplain development may merit abatements: Lewisville City Council to vote on offering tax incentives for $30 million upscale hotel/office plan.
February 5, 1999... Lewisville City Council to vote on offering tax incentives for $30 million upscale hotel/office plan LEWISVILLE - A developer plans to transform floodplain along Interstate 35E into a $30 to $40 million development with a hotel...

Two players left to offer Medicaid managed care.(Parkland Community Health Plan Inc.; Americaid Texas Inc.)
February 5, 1999... Parkland, Americaid left standing in bid to provide Dallas County care; state offers less reimbursement MEDICAL CENTER - Two of the four health plans selected to offer the new Medicaid managed care Program for Dallas have dropped out. ...

Manufacturing hiring stays strong in tight labor market.
February 5, 1999... Metroplex employs 363,000 industry workers GRAND PRAIRIE - When Precision Wood Products Inc. of Grand Prairie recently relocated to Cedar Hill to expand its business, the wood products manufacturer added 15 new employees to its existing...

CellStar works to regain Street's confidence.
February 5, 1999... Wireless phone distributor knows key to pleasing investors is to improve stock prices, cut costs CARROLLTON - When you think of the billion-dollar companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, names like Texas Instruments Inc, Exxon Corp.,...

Texas Plywood invests $1 million in new plant.(Texas Plywood & Lumber Inc.)
February 5, 1999... GRAND PRAIRIE - Door and millwork maker Texas Plywood & Lumber Inc. is expanding to a new plant that will modernize and double the manufacturer's current capacity, giving it a stronger foothold in the local market. The family owned...