A Texas State senator’s initiative to pass a statewide smoking ban in restaurants has been extinguished for now, but a spokesman for Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, says it’s likely legislators will relight the bill in future legislative sessions.
Senate Bill 544 made it through the Health and Human Services Committee but fell one vote short of getting a full hearing in the Texas Senate, said Jeremy Warren, communications director for Ellis, the bill’s sponsor.
With only 12 days left in the legislative session, Warren says the bill is done for this season. To try again, lawmakers will have to revive it at the next session in two years, he added.
Citing the journalists’ shield law that passed the Texas Legislature on its third try, Warren said smoking-ban supporters are likely to try again. “Sometimes a third time is a charm, but for this session it is no more,” Warren said.
The Texas Restaurant Association supported the ban, considering it the only means to equalize competition among local jurisdictions, where some municipalities have enacted bans and others have left the decision up to restaurant owners.
The association in a statement Wednesday said, "The Texas Restaurant Association is disappointed by the failure of the proposed statewide smoking ban to pass the Texas State Senate. While this issue has long been a contentious one, TRA believes that applying a smoking ban across all workplaces and all jurisdictions is the only equitable solution to a growing social concern." From HBJ may 20, 2009 for more information see www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
New Industrial space assignment for Houston industrial Broker
Stream Realty Partners LP has landed the management assignment for nearly 2 million square feet of industrial property in Houston owned by Cabot Properties Inc.
The deal represents a 50 percent increase in industrial business for Stream which, upon securing the assignment, leases and/or manages more than 6 million square feet of industrial properties in the Houston area.
Stream was tapped to manage the large Cabot portfolio, but is only responsible for leasing a portion of the buildings, a mixture of flex, manufacturing and distribution space.
The portfolio includes Main Park, a 660,000-square-foot project in eight buildings located at 3605-3651 Willowbend. Stream will also manage 259,000 square feet in six buildings at 3404-3556 Yale St.
Cabot is a private equity real estate firm based in Boston that specializes in buying, developing and operating industrial properties. Since it was formed in 1986, the firm has been responsible for more than $4.5 billion in property investments and 50 million square feet of leasing.For more information on Houston office space, Houston retail space or Houston warehouse space and Houston industrial space, please call 713 782-0260 or see my web site at : www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
The deal represents a 50 percent increase in industrial business for Stream which, upon securing the assignment, leases and/or manages more than 6 million square feet of industrial properties in the Houston area.
Stream was tapped to manage the large Cabot portfolio, but is only responsible for leasing a portion of the buildings, a mixture of flex, manufacturing and distribution space.
The portfolio includes Main Park, a 660,000-square-foot project in eight buildings located at 3605-3651 Willowbend. Stream will also manage 259,000 square feet in six buildings at 3404-3556 Yale St.
Cabot is a private equity real estate firm based in Boston that specializes in buying, developing and operating industrial properties. Since it was formed in 1986, the firm has been responsible for more than $4.5 billion in property investments and 50 million square feet of leasing.For more information on Houston office space, Houston retail space or Houston warehouse space and Houston industrial space, please call 713 782-0260 or see my web site at : www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
New Marina in Tiki Island
International Bancshares Corp. is doing double duty as lender and developer to build a $25 million marina on Tiki Island, now that the project’s original developer is no longer on board.
IBC-Houston originally loaned money to Tiki Ventures Ltd. for construction of 90 residential condominiums and 150 boat slips on the tiny hamlet just outside of Galveston. But a sinking economy scuttled the deal and the bank took possession of the property late last year. The site is now owned by an IBC subsidiary called Premier Tierra Holdings Inc.
The bank has brought in Yacht Clubs of the Americas to market 400 proposed marina slips as condominiums for boats. The Florida-based operator of upscale marinas launched a marketing effort last week in conjunction with Laredo-based IBC. The partners will not disclose the nature of their business arrangement.
“It’s the first time we’ve developed a project,” says Jay Rogers, chairman and CEO of IBC-Houston. For more information on Houston office space, Houston retail space or Houston warehouse space and Houston industrial space, please call 713 782-0260 or see my web site at : www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
IBC-Houston originally loaned money to Tiki Ventures Ltd. for construction of 90 residential condominiums and 150 boat slips on the tiny hamlet just outside of Galveston. But a sinking economy scuttled the deal and the bank took possession of the property late last year. The site is now owned by an IBC subsidiary called Premier Tierra Holdings Inc.
The bank has brought in Yacht Clubs of the Americas to market 400 proposed marina slips as condominiums for boats. The Florida-based operator of upscale marinas launched a marketing effort last week in conjunction with Laredo-based IBC. The partners will not disclose the nature of their business arrangement.
“It’s the first time we’ve developed a project,” says Jay Rogers, chairman and CEO of IBC-Houston. For more information on Houston office space, Houston retail space or Houston warehouse space and Houston industrial space, please call 713 782-0260 or see my web site at : www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
Thursday, May 14, 2009
TUG BOAT OPERATOR TAKES SPACE
O'Rourke leases ACL Channelview property
O’Rourke Marine Services LP has signed a long-term lease agreement with American Commercial Lines Inc. to lease the company’s facilities in Channelview.
Houston-based O’Rourke will provide full-service towboat fueling and lubricant services to the inland marine industry, according to a news release issued by Jeffersonville, Ind.-based American Commercial Lines (NASDAQ: ACL).
Provided by O’Rourke also will collect used oil and bilge discharge at the facility, which is located in the Houston Ship Channel.
“This partnership is a win for both ACL and O’Rourke,” Dan Jaworski, American Commercial Lines general sales manager for liquids, said in a news release. “Having O’Rourke as a tenant at our Channelview facility will enable us to more efficiently fuel our towboats, and, as part of the agreement, O’Rourke will utilize ACL’s towing and barge services as the need arises.”
American Commercial Lines closed its liquid tanker barge headquarters in downtown Houston in late March as a cost-cutting measure. for more information see www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
O’Rourke Marine Services LP has signed a long-term lease agreement with American Commercial Lines Inc. to lease the company’s facilities in Channelview.
Houston-based O’Rourke will provide full-service towboat fueling and lubricant services to the inland marine industry, according to a news release issued by Jeffersonville, Ind.-based American Commercial Lines (NASDAQ: ACL).
Provided by O’Rourke also will collect used oil and bilge discharge at the facility, which is located in the Houston Ship Channel.
“This partnership is a win for both ACL and O’Rourke,” Dan Jaworski, American Commercial Lines general sales manager for liquids, said in a news release. “Having O’Rourke as a tenant at our Channelview facility will enable us to more efficiently fuel our towboats, and, as part of the agreement, O’Rourke will utilize ACL’s towing and barge services as the need arises.”
American Commercial Lines closed its liquid tanker barge headquarters in downtown Houston in late March as a cost-cutting measure. for more information see www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Buffalo Bayou received ASLA Award
Buffalo Bayou Promenade has received the American Society of Landscape Architects’ top award.
The project, designed by Houston-based SWA Group, received the ASLA’s award of excellence in the general design category.
The promenade runs west along Buffalo Bayou from downtown Houston and adds 23 acres of parkland to Houston’s inner city.
The judges selected 49 projects for recognition out of nearly 600 entries worldwide. Buffalo Bayou Promenade was one of only three projects granted the award of excellence.
The project was “what being a landscape architect is all about,” the awards jury said.
“All awards should inspire and teach and this project sends a great message on scale, proportion, materials, and perseverance. So many cities have these opportunities. By capturing open space under a labyrinth of highways the landscape architect has made the intimidating unintimidating. It sends a great message for the future of parks.”
In addition, the Brays Bayou Greenway Framework, also designed by SWA Group, and the Urban Corridor Planning Study won honor awards in the analysis and planning category
For more information see: www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
The project, designed by Houston-based SWA Group, received the ASLA’s award of excellence in the general design category.
The promenade runs west along Buffalo Bayou from downtown Houston and adds 23 acres of parkland to Houston’s inner city.
The judges selected 49 projects for recognition out of nearly 600 entries worldwide. Buffalo Bayou Promenade was one of only three projects granted the award of excellence.
The project was “what being a landscape architect is all about,” the awards jury said.
“All awards should inspire and teach and this project sends a great message on scale, proportion, materials, and perseverance. So many cities have these opportunities. By capturing open space under a labyrinth of highways the landscape architect has made the intimidating unintimidating. It sends a great message for the future of parks.”
In addition, the Brays Bayou Greenway Framework, also designed by SWA Group, and the Urban Corridor Planning Study won honor awards in the analysis and planning category
For more information see: www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
Monday, May 4, 2009
Enterprise Products buys rail, truck facility from Martin Midstream
Enterprise Products Partners LP has purchased Martin Midstream Partners LP’s Mont Belvieu rail and truck terminal facilities.Financial details of the agreement with Kilgore-based Martin Midstream were not disclosed.
The acquisition allows the Houston midstream energy company to offload, store and transport refinery grade propylene from rail cars for use at its Mont Belvieu propylene/propane and natural gas liquids fractionation complex.
As part of the deal, Enterprise (NYSE: EPD) has acquired infrastructure to load propane for sale to local distributors.
Also included in the purchase are storage facilities that can accommodate up to 85 rail cars, allowing Enterprise to double its capacity going into Mont Belvieu. For more information see: www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
The acquisition allows the Houston midstream energy company to offload, store and transport refinery grade propylene from rail cars for use at its Mont Belvieu propylene/propane and natural gas liquids fractionation complex.
As part of the deal, Enterprise (NYSE: EPD) has acquired infrastructure to load propane for sale to local distributors.
Also included in the purchase are storage facilities that can accommodate up to 85 rail cars, allowing Enterprise to double its capacity going into Mont Belvieu. For more information see: www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
Friday, May 1, 2009
Simon is backing out of Houston Mall
Simon Property Group Inc. appears to be pulling back on plans for a proposed Katy mall project that’s been on the drawing board for more than a decade.
The S&P 500 company has attempted to build a major retail center on 134 acres near the northeast corner of Interstate 10 and the Grand Parkway since 1997.
The circular acreage surrounded by a mall ring road has at various times been earmarked for an outlet mall, regional mall, lifestyle center and mixed-use center.
Simon recently began marketing the vacant land for sale through local retail brokerage firm Page Partners. For information: see www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
The S&P 500 company has attempted to build a major retail center on 134 acres near the northeast corner of Interstate 10 and the Grand Parkway since 1997.
The circular acreage surrounded by a mall ring road has at various times been earmarked for an outlet mall, regional mall, lifestyle center and mixed-use center.
Simon recently began marketing the vacant land for sale through local retail brokerage firm Page Partners. For information: see www.houstonrealtyadvisors.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
