September 2, 2010Scott & White Closes on Taylor Hospital
Austin Business Journal
Temple-based Scott & White Healthcare closed on a deal to buy 25- bed Johns Community Hospital of Taylor for an undisclosed amount.  The health care facility operator entered the merger deal early last month, agreeing to absorb the community hospital into its growing network.  The facility will continue to operate as is with the same staff, but now called Scott & White Hospital - Taylor. 
September 1, 2010

Austin Real Estate Round-up:  Sept. 1
Austin Business Journal
Here is a round-up listing of some recent deals and announcements in the Austin real estate market since last Wednesday...
...Pizza Hutt has leased 1,819 square feet at the Gateway at Leander shopping center at 1245 U.S. Highway 183.  The Landlord was represented by Cole Brodhead of Retail Solutions and the tenant represented by Darren Quick of Don Quick & Associates, Inc.

August 27, 2010Round Rock Approves Incentives for New University, Dell, Toppan
Community Impact - Round Rock/Pflugerville
The Round Rock City Council approved a series of resolutions and incentives encouraging business growth and a new Round Rock education facility Aug. 26.
The council nominated South University for the Enterprise Zone Program, a state tax incentive program cities must nominate companies for consideration.  Dell Inc. was also nominated for the same incentives.  The council also approved a resolution approving tax abatement for Toppan Printing America, Inc.
The incentives will aid South University in opening a campus in Round Rock's Frontera Vista office complex at 1100 W. Louis Henna Blvd.
August 2, 2010

Scott & White Expansion Will Add 58,000 SF to Round Rock Hospital
Community Impact - Round Rock/Pflugerville
Scott & White Healthcare is planning a 58,000-square-foot expansion to its Round Rock hospital.  the project will also include renovating an additional 14,000 square feet of the campus, located at 300 University Blvd.  Ernie Bovio, president and CEO of Scott & White Heathcare - Round Rock, said construction will begin in October and the new portions of the hospital are scheduled to open in January 2012. 
Expansion plans - the project will include adding 26 hospital beds-a combination of 20 ICU beds and six general beds.

July 22, 2010Austin 5th Best City For College Grads
Austin Business Journal
Austin ranks as the nation's fifth best city for new college graduates in the latest annual listing by Bloomberg Businessweek.
the report ranks what it considers the nation's top 30 cities for recent grads, based on the number of entry-level employers listed in After College data, as well as average annual pay, cost of living and unemployment rate.  Austin didn't make the list last year. 
July 16, 2010Pflugerville Water Park Hits Snag
Austin Business Journal
A planned water park in Pflugerville has hit a snag that could further delay its opening slated for next year, but its developers and city officials are still vowing to push the project forward.
the Pflugerville Community Development Corp. rescinded a development agreement last week to bring a water park to the city after its developer, Blu Bambu LP, failed to raise the $8 million required by deadlines in the agreement, including $1 million for the purchase of 50 acres of PCDC land on which the park was to be built by May 2011.
July 7, 2010

Round Rock Ranks Among Best Family Towns
Austin Business Journal
Round Rock was picked as one of the nation's top 10 town's for families, according to Family Circle magazine.  The national publication chose communities with ample affordable housing, good neighbors, green spaces, strong public school systems and giving spirits. 
"We've known for years that Round Rock is a special place for families to call home, so it is an honor to be recognized by such a popular national publication,"  Round Rock Mayor Alan McGraw said.  "I am proud to live in Round Rock with good neighbors and an unmistakable giving spirit."

July 1, 2010Texas Leads Nation For Job Growth In May
Austin Business Journal
Texas added more jobs than any other state in May, picking up about 43,600, according to a study Thursday from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Texas Workforce Commission data shows the Lone Star State achieving the largest non-agricultural job gain in more than three years.  The Austin region added about 2,000 jobs in May.
"Individuals and business are flocking to Texas during these tough economic times," AFPF State Director Peggy Venable said.  "The reason for this is clear - our business environment is competitive, taxes are low, and we have no income tax.  All of the right elements are in place to ensure prosperity and opportunity in our state."
June 18, 2010Round Rock Reliant Hospital Building Acquired
Austin Business Journal
A 75-room rehabilitation hospital building in Round Rock has been acquired with two others for about $74 million.  Birmingham, Ala.-based Medical Properties Trust Inc. purchased the buildings from American Development, who leases the hospitals to Reliant Healthcare Partners.  The Reliant Rehabilitation Hospital-Central Texas at 1400 Hester's Crossing in Round Rock was included in the deal, along with Reliant Rehabilitation Hospital-North Texas in the Dallas area and Reliant Rehabilitation-North Houston.  the Central Texas facility opened in July 2008 houses 50 private rehab rooms and 25 private skilled nursing beds, and serves patients in Travis and Williamson counties.
June 18, 2010ACC Plans For Future Campus In Leander
Community Impact - Leander/Cedar Park
College buys 100 acres within city's transit-oriented development.
The process of trying to get a college interested in the city of Leander has been ongoing for more than five years, but a big step was taken in May when Austin Community College closed on land in the city.
ACC announced May 13th that the college bought property-100 acres- within the transit-oriented development in north central Leander.  The land, which was purchased from RB 270 Partnership, is near the Capitol Metro Rail Station.
June 3, 2010

Retail Real Estate:  Poised For Progress
A Memoir from ICSC RECON 2010
By Charles A. Harvey, REALTOR®
Don Quick & Associates, Inc.
Spring was in the Las Vegas air this year at the annual International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Retail Real Estate Convention (RECON) with low temperatures in the 50's and a fresh positive vibe for the future of retail real estate.  RECON is an annual gathering of retail real estate professionals from around the globe convening to network with industry leaders, retailers, developers, municipalities, and brokers.  This year's event was held May 23rd - 25th at the Las Vegas Convention Center with an attendance of approximately 30,000 people which was up from last year's 25,000.

May 25, 2010Click for News DetailsForbes:  Austin No. 2 Most Innovative
Austin Business Journal
Austin was ranked No. 2 on a Forbes.com listing of the nation's "most innovative" cities.  To no One's surprise, Silicon Valley technology mecca San Jose, Calif. took the crown on the list tanking 100 of the nation's largest metros.  Cities were lined up according to its patents per person, venture capital, investment per capita, and finally, it's ratio of high-tech, science and "creative" jobs. 
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reported Austin having about 2,900 filings in the year considered, from laser guided pet nail clippers to an explosive chemical detector for microphones.  Austin and Round  Rock averaged about 2 and 1.7 patents per every thousand residents in the past 12 months, according to Forbes.
May 10, 2010Click for News DetailsSurvey:  Commercial Real Estate Stabalizing
Austin Business Journal
The latest quarterly survey from D.C.-based Real Estate Roundtable suggests commercial real estate trends are stabalizing, but it predicts a slow and uneven recovery. 
The group surveyed more than 100 senior real estate executives for its quarterly report.  Austin might expect a better than average recovery, according to Grubb & Ellis Co., which ranked the city as having the best prospects for commercial real estate investment this year.  Austin has also benefitted from a rising number of new restaurants taking of space.
May 7, 2010Click for News DetailsRound  Rock:  Then and Now
Community Impact - Round Rock / Pflugerville
Round Rock began as a small pioneer village at the crossing over Brushy Creek, a landmark for cattle drivers and travelers making long trips by stagecoach.  Many of the small  limestone buildings constructed in the late 19th century are still around today, housing offices and small businesses in what is now known as Old Town.
When the International and Great Northern Railroad arrived in 1876, a new downtown business district built up around the depot.  Main Sreet is still home to the city's small business coridor.
Please click the "Read More" icon to view Then and Now photos of Round Rock.  See how the city has changed over the years!
May 3, 2010Click for News DetailsBanker's Software Provider Moves HQ to Austin
Austin Business Journal
Financial industry software provider "Banker's Toolbox" has moved its headquarters to Austin.
Previously based in North Hollywood, CA, Banker's provides commercial real estate loan stress testing, anti-money laundering software and wire processing.  The company said in a release it is moving to take advantage of the Central time zone and to "increase access to the local talent base."
"Austin has been dubbed the 'Silicon Hills' due to the concentration of high-tech companies headquartered in the area, so there is an incredible amount of local talent that we can tap into," Banker's Toolbox CEO Daniel Cho said in a statement.
April 30, 2010Click for News DetailsFacebook Opening Sixth St. Office
Austin Business Journal
Facebook Inc. plans to open a downtown office in West Sixth Street in Austin with about six employees and grow it to 200 during the next four years. 
The California-based social media giant, which first confirmed its interest in Austin in late February, is establishing an office at 300 W. Sixth St.
Company workers will initially occupy 21,000 SF of the 23-story building.
April 9, 2010Half of Freescale Semiconductor Site For Lease
Austin Business Journal
In what could prove a mixed blessing for Austin and its commercial real estate market, more than half of the massive nearly 1 million-foot Freescale Semiconductor campus in North Austin is now available for lease.  On the downside, more than 6 million square feet in similar Class A office space is already for lease in the Austin area, and supply continues to overweigh demand.  The total size of the Freescale buildings for lease -about 500,000 square feet- is regarded by local real estate experts as the largest chunk of office space of its kind on the Austin market.  The average office space runs about 25,000 square feet or less.
April 8, 2010Austin Office Vacancies Still Rising, Turnaround Expected Soon
Austin Business Journal
Austin's office vacancy rates increased for the 11th consecutive quarter in the most recent three months, but experts expect that to change as new construction dries up.
Oxford Commercial reported Austin vacancy rates hitting an average 22.1 percent across all classes and areas in the first quarter 2010, compared with 20.3 percent the same time last year.  Rents also continued to depreciate reaching an average $25.15 a square foot, the lowest since the second quarter 2007.
April 7, 2010Social Media Business Council Calling Austin Home
Austin Business Journal
A national organization leading the charge in social media is moving to Austin as the city is evolving into a center for such companies. 
The Social Media Council is in the process of moving its office from Chicago to Austin with plans to form several more specialized groups that focus on specific sectors and business sizes.
April 2, 2010Round Rock Approves Purchase of Land for
Indoor Events Center
Community Impact - Round Rock / Pflugerville
Contract could be signed in May.
The Round Rock City Council voted Feb. 25th to approve the purchase of 43 acres of land at the former home of Cypress Semiconductor near Sunrise Rd. and University Blvd.
The $4.6 million contract is still under negotiation while the city completes inspection of the property, which features a concrete slab between 130,000 and 170,000 sq.ft.
March 9, 2010Austin - Round Rock Metro Ties for No. 1 Place Where Recession is Easing
Community Impact - Round Rock / Pflugerville
The Austin-Round Rock area tied with Washington, D.C., as the No. 1 U.S. metro are where the recession is easing in a list released by Forbes March 2nd.  The list was based on unemployment and job growth rates, job-growth projection, median sale price for single-family homes and Metropolitan Gross Domestic Product- the dollar amount of goods and services produced within a metro area.
March 5, 2010Population Milestones Add New Responsibilities
Community Impact - Round Rock / Pflugerville
With 2010 census forms set to begin arriving by mail in March, Round Rock and Pflugerville may be wondering how participation in the national population count will affect their daily lives.
*Pflugerville - In January, the Pflugerville City Counsil passed a resolution declaring the city has a population of more than 50,000 reisdents, based on the planning department's annual estimate of the services needed in the community.
*Round Rock - the City of Round Rock's population has been hovering around 100,000 for the past several years.  The U.S. Census Bureau's July 2008 estimate put the city at 104,446 residents.
February 2, 2010Austin Reported Least Job Losses in '09
Austin Business Journal
The Austin-Round Rock region lost the least number of jobs in Texas last year, shedding a net 2,300 positions, or 0.3 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics year end report released today.  The area's workforce performance was second only to the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission region, which was the only Texas area to add positions year-over-year.  Victoria, Texas reported the highest job losses between 2008 and 2009, dropping 4 percent.
January 22, 2010Economic Forecast Predicts Rebound for Central Texas
Community Impact - Round Rock / Pflugerville
Things are looking up for Central Texas' economy over the next two years, according to economist, Angelos Angelou.
"Austin remains in an envialbe position compared to the rest of the country," Angelou said.  "The metro area is on a solid road to recovery."
Texas is now the 11th largest economy in the world...
January 22, 2010Click for News DetailsRetail In Austin Strong, Will Continue To Be
Austin Business Journal
Austin's retail sectors have significantly outperformed much of the nation and are projected to continue doing so, according to a national consulting firm.  Since last year Pitney Bowes has been tracking retail data for some of the biggest names in retail, restaurants and real estate.  Across all four sectors of retail.
January 13, 2010Pflugerville's Population Estimate Exceeds 50,000 Residents
Community Impact - Round Rock / Pflugerville
The Pflugerville City Council approved a resolution Jan. 12 declaring the city has reached a population of more than 50,000 residents.
Based on the city planning department's annual estimate, the population of approximately 50,850 residents officially changes Pflugerville's classification from a rural community to a small urban city.

January 5, 2010

Click for News DetailsAustin Office Leasing Stabilizes, Price Increases a Good Sign
Austin Business Journal
Medical office rental continued to dominate new commercial real estate deals in fourth quarter 2009, while vacancy increases and price depreciation showed across the Austin market as a whole.