Dallas Business Journal articles from October 1999

Dallas Business Journal archives from October 1999

Relief set for ailing airport.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Redbird Airport improvements, new projects could create 1,700 jobs SOUTH DALLAS -- Redbird Airport could lose its long-held "Deadbird Airport" stigma if $60 million in hotel, office space, golf course and assisted-living developments...

Sideline play.
October 1, 1999... Real estate CEO Roger Staubach saw his South Dallas project as an investment in community ADDISON -- The Staubach Co. recently announced plans to launch a 1,000-acre residential development in South Dallas but abruptly canceled the project...

Chase unit opts for tollway space over downtown.
October 1, 1999... FARMERS BRANCH -- The Chase Manhattan Corp. has bypassed downtown Dallas and selected One International Place on the Dallas North Tollway for its private-banking unit, sources familiar with the transaction say. A letter of intent, the first...

Matchmaker.com attracts funding, clients.
October 1, 1999... BEDFORD -- An Internet company that makes money. That's how Christopher Daly likes to describe Matchmaker.com, the online dating phenomenon that continues to gain momentum. The company has raised millions in financing, placed notable...

496-home project heads for Murphy.
October 1, 1999... Development is part of a trend 6f new construction in this farming community MURPHY -- Dublin Murphy Estate Ltd.'s 496-home development covering 202 acres on the south side of Betsy Lane is one of the newest projects taking off in this...

Clarion rumors.
October 1, 1999... FORT WORTH -- The owners of the Clarion Hotel Performing Arts Center is in preliminary discussions to sell the hotel. Sundance Hospitality Corp., made up of mostly Taiwanese investors, purchased, the hotel in 1996 and changed its name from...

No deal.
October 1, 1999... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Turns out that U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison didn't need help from Sen. John Jeffords after all. As reported in Sept. 24-30's episode of DBJ Confidential, rumors were rampant on Capitol Hill that Hutchison had cut a...

Adieu PoPoLos?
October 1, 1999... NORTH DALLAS -- Diners looking to "do lunch" at the popular PoPoLos restaurant at Preston and Royal will have to go elsewhere. The facility is shuttered, complete with the standard notice that the locks have been changed. Representatives...

Sonny's growin'.
October 1, 1999... DOWNTOWN DALLAS -- Sonny Bryan's is doubling its space in the "tunnel" near Republic Tower. The bustling barbecue joint has grown to the point that it needs a whole new look -- and more space, according to Mike Meehan, president of Sonny...

Triple Thai.
October 1, 1999... PLANO -- Local restaurant owner Vinnie Virasin plans to open her third establishment, a 300-seat spot featuring upscale Thai food. The restaurant, located in Windhaven Plaza at Parker Road and the Dallas North Tollway, will open after the...

Hoteliers alliance.
October 1, 1999... FARMERS BRANCH -- Hoteliers in Farmers Branch have formed a new Farmers Branch Hotel/Motel Association to promote the city as a destination for visitors and conventions. Currently, the city draws group tours and business stays. But the...

Corrections.
October 1, 1999... In the Sept. 24-30 Pacesetters special publication, the name of Cadence McShane Corp. President Robert Marwill was misspelled ("Cadence McShane's diversity creates success"). In that same publication, the name of Team Mouse CEO Marc Andres...

Inland Truck consolidates locations into new facility.
October 1, 1999... DENTON -- Inland Truck Parts is building a 22,000-square-foot truck parts and service facility in Denton that will consolidate three smaller Denton locations. The Overland Park, Kan., company sells parts mostly for commercial trucks, from...

Service911.com receives $4M Excel investment boost.
October 1, 1999... STEMMONS CORRIDOR -- Service911.com has received a $4 million investment from Excel Communication Inc. and several Excel executives, including founder Kenny Troutt. Dallas-based Excel, a unit of the Canadian phone giant Teleglobe Inc.,...

Chamber launches plan to lure, keep tech companies.
October 1, 1999... Initiative coincides with regional group's effort to market D-FW's tech base DOWNTOWN DALLAS -- The Greater Dallas Chamber has quietly undertaken a new initiative to lure and retain technology companies in the Metroplex. Executive...

New location, more hires in works for Rare Medium.
October 1, 1999... DEEP ELLUM -- Rare Medium Inc. had several requirements in mind when it selected an old building in Deep Ellum to house its Dallas operations. The new spot had to be big. There had to be room to expand. And it had to be cool. "We...

Former lawyer dreams up a new business idea.
October 1, 1999... Gonuts Gourmet Donut Bar puts a new twist on a much-loved treat PLANO -- Not many people give up practicing law to bake doughnuts, but David Wheeler made that decision last year and never looked back. He gave up the coveted "corner...

Byron Nelson seeks to build public golf course.
October 1, 1999... Proposed Victory Trail 18- to 36-hole course would stand out from competition with lower fees ROANOKE -- On a ranch purchased from his golf winnings in 1946, golf legend Byron Nelson is planning an 18-to 36-hole public golf course in...

Secret of success for this merger is in the execution.
October 1, 1999... Wells Fargo-Norwest Bank is a marriage of opposites, CEO says UPTOWN -- Opposites attract, says Dick Kovacevich, the CEO of the new Wells Fargo & Co. It's true of magnets, it's true of lovers and it's true of banks. Yes, he agrees, the...

More retailers moving into hot West Piano area.
October 1, 1999... PLANO -- With two huge, regional malls leading the pack of retailers rushing to booming west Collin County, the market will soon play host to a wide variety of new stores. The far West Plano area sports 21 projects planned or under...

Apartment project planned for Euless.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Developer also will expand the existing Sandstone at Bear Creek complex EULESS -- S.H. Realty L.L.P will expand an existing apartment complex and build a new, 19-acre complex in Euless starting in mid-October. Park Side on the Creek,...

GenCap to build second phase at Cornerstone Business Park.
October 1, 1999... SOUTHLAKE -- GenCap Partners is planning a 90,000-square-foot spec office as the second phase of development in the Cornerstone Business Park. Cornerstone is a 43-acre upscale, deed-restricted park located off State Highway 114 on the...

Lexford Property Management to move into office at Cornerstone.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... SOUTHLAKE -- Lexford Property Management will move its offices from Irving into a new office that Georgian Mansions will build at Cornerstone Business Park. Georgian Mansions will build a two-story, colonial-style office for Lexford, a...

California tech company invests in VocalData Inc.
October 1, 1999... RICHARDSON -- A large California technical-services company has invested a seven-figure sum in VocalData Inc., a Richardson developer of systems that let phone companies send voice and data over networks that use Internet-based technology. ...

Casket retailers form association to protect interests.
October 1, 1999... Independent retailers band together following defeat of bill that threatened livelihood NORTH DALLAS -- A small band of independent casket retailers have formed an association to take on the funeral industry to preserve their right to sell...

Federation studies regulation costs.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Federation of Independent Business is spending $500,000 to develop a computer model that will be used to estimate the costs of proposed federal regulations. NFIB Vice President Dan Danner says federal...

FACE TIME.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... A look at movers and shakers of the Metroplex -- and what makes them tick. Robert Workman Workman, 46, is founder and president of Direct Media Marketing Inc., a Dallas-based marketing company specializing in sales training Workman is...

Two Love Field companies purchased.
October 1, 1999... LOVE FIELD -- Jet East Inc. and Alpha Century, two premier names at Dallas Love Field, were purchased Sept. 27 by the largest jet charter and management company in the world, Jet Aviation of Teterboro, N.J. Jet East and Alpha were owned...

Commerce department will report Internet sales.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Commerce plans to break out Internet sales for the first time in the retail data it collects next quarter. Commerce Secretary William M. Daley calls it a pilot test. "We want to be careful...

Aetna names two local general managers.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... King, Burns to lead health care company in initiative to attract new members NORTH DALLAS --Former Prudential HealthCare Vice President C. Carleton King has been named general manager for Aetna U.S. Healthcare's Dallas-Fort Worth market....

Valeo breaks ground on Alliance production plant.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... ALLIANCE -- Valeo, an international supplier to the automotive industry, broke ground last week on what will become its first U.S. electronics manufacturing plant and has begun operating from temporary facilities in Grand Prairie. The...

Marketing Management forms new-media division.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... FORT WORTH -- From as far away as Asia, Fort Worth-based Marketing Management Inc. is known as a marketing company for private-label groceries, but that's starting to change. Marketing Management merged its information technology and Web...

New appointees to DCURD board announced.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Group is in charge of taxing policy, incentives for much of Las Colinas IRVING -- The Irving City Council on Sept. 23 appointed five people to the powerful Dallas County Utility and Reclamation District board of directors. The board...

Say goodbye.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... In a move to "be in the hub" of the U.S. petroleum and petrochemicals industries, Plano-based Fina Inc. will relocate its corporate headquarters from Plano to Houston, with an expected mid-2000 completion date. Houston is already home to the...

Mighty-news.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... The Anaheim Angels baseball team, the National Hockey League Mighty Ducks and the L.A. Kings have signed contracts to use Dallas-based ROI Interactive's Enewsnotifier permission-based e-mail service. ENN notifies subscribers of topics of...

Hotel database.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Pegasus Business Intelligence will build its first chainwide data warehouse for Accor North America. Under the agreement, Pegasus Business Intelligence will build and maintain a customer relationship management data warehouse and supply...

Telephony.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Through an agreement with Level 3 Communications, a Protocol-based communications and information services company, Dallas-based NetVoice Technologies Inc. will expand its Internet telephony business to 12 additional markets. NetVoice will use...

New deal.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Eastern Group, a European energy company and wholly owned subsidiary of Dallas-based TXU, is forming a joint venture company with Pohjolan Voima Oy, Finland's second largest electricity generator. The joint venture company will be owned 81% by...

Renamed.(American Physician Partners Inc. now Radiologix Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Dallas-based American Physician Partners Inc. has changed its name to Radiologix Inc. The radiology services company has also changed its Nasdaq stock symbol from "APPM" to "RDLX."

New products.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... In a transaction which involves a tax-free exchange of stock valued at approximately $774 million, Kimberly-Clark Corp. has acquired Ballard Medical Products, a maker of disposable medical devices for respiratory care, gastroenterology and...

Shares of LUV.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 1999... Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co.'s board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of the company's common stock, representing about approximately 7.1 million shares. Southwest has approximately 504.2 million shares of...

Phone cards.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Irving-based ARDIS Telecom and Technologies Inc. has developed plans to consolidate distribution of its prepaid phone card products into the marketplace. The plan includes opening regional offices in target markets across the country. Through...

Going forward.
October 1, 1999... Irving-based Exxon Corp. and Fairfax, Va.-based Mobil Corp. confirmed that the European Commission has approved the merger of the two companies. Under the European Commission conditions, the companies must divest of assets in certain market...

Broadcast news.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Dallas-based Belo announced that it will purchase KONG-TV, an independent station in the Seattle/Tacoma television market, and KASW-TV, the WB affiliate in Phoenix, as soon as permitted under FCC rules. Belo currently operates KONG under a...

Fast tech.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Race cars and high technology have a lot in common, according to the Texas Motor Speedway, which announced plans that it is teaming up with Computer Associates to present "Technology on the High Banks," a showcase of cutting edge technology,...

It's official.(Nations Office products offers Toshiba copiers and facsimile machines)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 1999... Nations Office Products, a local office solutions provider, has been named a Toshiba copier and facsimile dealer. Nations Office Products is based in Arlington and has a branch on Royal Lane in Dallas. The company, which acquired Felco Office...

MedTech stakeholder.(University of North Texas Health Science Center becomes stakeholder in Fort Worth MedTech Center.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... The Fort Worth MedTech Center, a business incubator for medical and high-technology startup companies, announced that the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth has become its most recent stakeholder, The health science...

Special recognition.(Fort Worth Alliance Airport flight control staff receives award.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... At the Federal Aviation Administration Southwest regional conference, the Fort Worth Alliance Airport flight control staff received the Special Recognition Award and the Commendation for Operational Excellence. Alliance was the only air control...

Joining forces.(Bombay Company Inc. and Sherwin-Williams continue joint marketing/advertising.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Fort Worth-based The Bombay Co. Inc. and Ohio-based Sherwin-Williams Paint Stores will continue their joint marketing/advertising by promoting a new paint palette and complementary furniture collection for autumn, called "Sacred Spaces."...

Million-dollar campaign.(Texas Wesleyan University launches campaign.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Texas Wesleyan University launched a $33.5 million comprehensive campaign entitled "Of High Endeavor" to provide the resources for Wesleyan's future though capital projects, increased endowments and annual support. The campaign will enable...

Proposed development.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... The city of Arlington is being asked to support the city staff's recommendation to negotiate a ground lease to allow Dallas-based Wilcox Development Services Inc. to construct a 75,000-square-foot development on the city parking lot west of the...

Public money, private deals.(Developers pursue public financing for affordable housing projects.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Developers pursue public financing for affordable housing projects GREATER METROPLEX -- A booming housing market has its downside, according to developers and city officials. The real loser: affordable housing. More developers are...

Reverse mortgage loans on ballot for November.(Legislation would allow reverse mortgage loans in Texas.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... If bill passes, senior citizens could turn home equity into cash DOWNTOWN DALLAS -- On Nov. 2, Texas voters will have the chance to pass legislation that will allow reverse mortgage loans in the state. Sound familiar? That's because in...

MOST-ACTIVE METROPLEX RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 1999... MOST-ACTIVE METROPLEX RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES RANKED BY NUMBER OF HOUSING STARTS [1] Rank Community name Starts Closings City 1. Stonebridge Ranch 434 433 McKinney ...

Dallas Cohousing Group plans for first development.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 1999... Development will emphasize social ties between neighbors GARLAND -- In a time when it's not unusual to live next door to families for years without getting to know them, some Dallas residents are creating a community where knowing the...

Steps to follow to hire the best residential broker.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 1999... Selling a house isn't a matter of just putting up a "for sale" sign. Nor is buying a home as easy as spotting such a sign. That's why finding a residential broker is an important step that should be taken carefully and deliberately. ...

Gramm pushing for bill to unite financial entities.(US Senator Phil Gramm)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 1999... What America needs now, U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm says, is a law that allows the three major financial sectors -- banking, insurance and securities -- to compete openly, fairly and without fetters. "There is virtually no debate on this, other...

Loose change.(Briefs.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... * Capital Senior Living Corp. (NYSE: CSU) of Dallas obtained $73 million in financing from Bank of America N.A. and Lehman Brothers in separate deals. Bank of America agreed to a $27 million commitment for construction, with provisions, that...

Challenge challenged by available aircraft.(Challenge Air Cargo Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 1999... Just wanted to pass along a few additional notes of interest from the Dallas Business Journal's recent interview with Peter Ullrich Jr., who has the big job of handling Miami-based Challenge Air Cargo's troubled business at Dallas/Fort Worth...

M/PF: Office absorption remains steady in 3Q.(M/PF Research Inc. reports third quarter 1999 office deliveries)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 1999... M/PF Research Inc. is remaining optimistic about the Metroplex office market. The company's third-quarter results show that completions continue to exceed demand but that absorption has remained strong. During third quarter 1999,...

Giant listing.(CB Richard Ellis Inc. gains 1900 acres of land in southeastern Dallas)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 1999... Jim Whitten, Bill Reese and Matt Wilken of CB Richard Ellis Inc. have picked up a 1,900-acre listing in southeastern Dallas. The acreage fronts Interstate 20 and Spur 408 and is part of the 3,600-acre Mountain Creek masterplanned development...

Real estate rock.
October 1, 1999... The Real Estate Council has booked rockabilly singer Lyle Lovett to sing at its annual "Dreamers, Doers and Unsung Heroes." The event will be held Nov. 23 at the Meyerson Symphony Center. Proceeds go to support the council's grants to...

Tollway launch.(Wilcox Development Services Inc. begins construction on Sojourn Office Center, Dallas, Texas)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 1999... Dallas-based Wilcox Development Services Inc. has started construction on Sojourn Office Center in Dallas. The 93,304-square-foot building is located on the southeast corner of Sojourn Lane and Westgrove Drive. Old American Insurance...

Real estate finance.
October 1, 1999... Denver-based CLE International is sponsoring an "Advanced Real Estate Finance" conference from Dec. 2-3 at the Wyndham Anatole in Dallas. Topics include "Lending to REITs," "Title Insurance Considerations" and "Credit Enhancement." The cost is...

Stream Realty L.P.(leases office building to Hewitt & Associates)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Stream Realty L.P. has found its first tenant for Hackberry Creek. Hewitt & Associates will take 43,000 square feet in the Irving building. Bill McClung of Cushman & Wakefield of Texas Inc. represents Hewitt.

Allergo Development Corp.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Allergo Development Corp. has signed a lease for 26,215 square feet at Fountain Place in downtown Dallas. David Creiner and Alan Wood of Jackson & Cooksey represented Allergo. Kirby While represented building owner Crescent Real Estate Equities...

Dallas Black Dance Theatre.
October 1, 1999... Dallas Black Dance Theatre purchased a 50,000-square-foot building on 38,000 square feet of land in the Arts District. Debra Peek-Haynes of Quorum Commercial represented the theater. Tracy Fults of Fults/Oncor represented the seller.

Medical City's Merrill to become shore bound.(Rick Merrill appointed chief executive officer at Driscoll Children's Hospital)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Medical City Medical Center's Chief Operating Officer Rick Merrill will be heading to the Gulf Coast. Hospital officials have confirmed Merrill will leave Oct. 7 to take the CEO post at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi....

Sale pending.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Triad Hospitals Inc. expects to sell DeQueen Regional Medical Center in DeQueen, Ark., to the hospital's foundation before Oct. 15. The sale price is not being released. "We believe that this transaction will be in the best interest of the...

Applications accepted.
October 1, 1999... The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is accepting applications for community venture grants. The deadline for annual grants is Oct. 27. Only nonprofit agencies not currently funded by United Way are welcome to apply. A total of $200,000 is...

The University of North Texas Health Science Center.(to select president)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth will conduct interviews Oct. 15 with finalists for its presidential post. The finalists are Dr. Thomas Wesley Allen, provost, dean and professor of internal medicine at Oklahoma...

Cooper Aerobics.(to manage Perot System's Wellness Center)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Cooper Aerobics, the consulting division of The Cooper Aerobics Center, has been selected to staff and manage The Wellness Center, Perot System's worksite wellness program and fitness center at its Park Central Office.

Health Texas Provider Network.(leases property at Northgate Shopping Center, Waxahachie, TX)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Health Texas Provider Network, a subsidiary of Baylor Healthcare System, has leased 27,691 square feet at Northgate Shopping Center in Waxahachie. Bo Estes and Steven Schneider of Grubb & Ellis handled lease negotiations for Health Texas. Jay...

Wellness International Network Ltd.(relocates)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Privately held Wellness International Network Ltd. has moved its headquarters from Carrollton to Legacy Park in Plano.

American Physician Partners Inc.(changes name)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... American Physician Partners Inc. has changed the company's name to Radiologix Inc. Its Nasdaq stock symbol is "RDLX."

Capital Senior Living Corp.(opens independent-living senior community)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Capital Senior Living Corp. (NYSE: CSU) has opened Waterford at Mesquite, a 154-unit independent senior-living community.

Consulttus Group zooms in on high-tech clients.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... The growth of e-commerce spells opportunity for Plano-based Consulttus Group Inc. The niche marketing firm was launched in January by Howard LaMunion and his wife, Barbara. The company is targeting software development, systems...

New client update.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Dallas marketing communications agency Gallier and Wittenberg Inc. has racked up some new clients. It's been named the agency of record for Children's Choice Learning Centers Inc., MJS Realty Inc. and The Melrose Hotel in Dallas and the...

People and places.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... * Annette Smith has been promoted to executive news producer at WFAA-TV (Channel 8). She's currently producer of WFAA's top-rated News 8 Update at 10 p.m. She joined the station five years ago as a newsroom graphics producer from a Phoenix...

Dallas firms pitch their causes at VC event.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... Fall is in the air -- or at least is bubbling to the surface -- which means it's time to talk venture capital. You may be aware that the Southwest Venture Capital Conference will be held in Dallas starting Thursday, Oct. 7. What may have...

The M/A/R/C Group.(purchases interest in MSP Associates)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... The M/A/R/C Group (Nasdaq: MARC) has acquired a 30% stake in a European firm specializing in marketing and sales-force consulting. The Irving market research and communications firm has the right to buy the rest of MSP Associates in the next...

E.W. Blanch Holdings Inc.(purchases JDWarren Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... A unit of E.W. Blanch Holdings Inc. (NYSE: EWB) recently acquired a Pittsburgh, Pa., technology-services company called JDWarren Inc. Terms weren't disclosed. Dallas-based E.W. Blanch supplies risk-management services to the insurance industry,...

TransData Inc.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... TransData Inc. of Richardson has forged a joint-development pact with Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Omnipoint Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: OMPT) to design and sell wireless meter readers to the utility industry. TransData says its...

fundu.com.(Brief Article)
October 1, 1999... A Dallas company called fundu.com is planning to launch a self-titled Web site to help find selected service providers for residential and business customers. Proprietor Lee Blaylock's site (www.fundu.com) will supply firms in party and event...