Wednesday, March 26, 2008

KLUP SABJ News Feature 3/26/08 Sub Prime Lending Affect on San Antonio

S.A. lenders say city, state positioned to weather subprime storm. John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with today's San Antonio Business Journal News Feature. Business Journal writer Tamarind Phinisee reported. Foreclosure rates on loans in Texas went up slightly this past year, but at a much slower clip than the national rate, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's latest national delinquency survey. The Washington, D.C.-based industry organization's survey shows that Texas' foreclosure rate rose from 1.24 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006 to 1.36 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007. The U.S. foreclosure rate over that same period increased from 1.19 percent to 2.04 percent. The story was the same for the subprime loan market. A subprime loan is one that is offered at a higher interest rate to borrowers who have nicks in their credit history. Subprime foreclosure rates for the fourth quarter of 2007 came in at 5.28 percent for Texas and 8.65 percent for the United States overall. This represented an increase over the fourth-quarter 2006 subprime foreclosure rates of 4.32 percent for Texas and 4.53 percent nationwide. For San Antonio area homes and real estate, call John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty."

KLUP SABJ News Feature 3/25/08 Hemisfair 68 Still Benefitting San Antonio

Alamo City is still reaping benefits of HemisFair '68 John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with Today's San Antonio Business Journal News Feature. Business Journal writer Scott Bailey reported that In two weeks, San Antonio will experience a timely confluence of celebrations as it simultaneously hosts the 2008 NCAA Men's Final Four basketball championship, while recognizing the 40th anniversary of HemisFair '68. San Antonio Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, son of the late Henry B. Gonzalez (who was instrumental in helping secure the world's fair), says this is the perfect time for business and political leaders to begin to identify and pursue this city's next great adventure. There is no denying the importance of HemisFair in the evolution of San Antonio, Gonzalez says. "It was a demarcation point. It was a place in time ... when people became aware of San Antonio," he contends. "It gave San Antonio tangible evidence that something was happening. It gave us form and expression that defined out future. For San Antonio area homes and real estate, call John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty."

KLUP SABJ News Feature 3/20/08 Shops at La Cantera Adding Office Space

The Shops at La Cantera are set to add office suites to their mix of products. John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with today's San Antonio Business Journal News Feature. Business Journal writer Tricia Lynn Silva reported that when the second phase of The Shops at La Cantera opens this fall, it will bring with it more than just some new retailers and restaurants. It also will bring a healthy block of office development to the mix. Chicago-based General Growth Properties (GGP) has hired locally based real estate firm Endura Advisory Group to market roughly 40,000 square feet of office space that will be included in phase two of the shopping center. The office portion of The Shops will be located on the second levels of three buildings within phase two. The first levels of those buildings will feature retail tenants. The majority of the space will overlook a Main Street area All told, phase two of The Shops will add another 300,000 square feet of space to the retail center. At present, the retail center measures 1 million square feet, says GGP executive Mollie Calvert. But The Shops is only one component to a large, mixed-use project known as La Cantera -- which spans 1,700 acres of land along Loop 1604 and Interstate Highway 10. For San Antonio area homes and real estate, call John Thurman of HeartofTexasRealty.com.

KLUP SABJ News Feature 3/19/08 Habitat For Humanity House Divided

Habitat for Humanity is a house divided in the courts. John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with today's San Antonio Business Journal News Feature. Business Journal writer, Tricia Lynn Silva reported that a legal dispute among affiliated nonprofit groups could threaten the future of one of the city's most recognized names in low-income housing. Earlier this year, Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio Inc. filed a civil lawsuit in federal court here against its parent organization, Americus, Ga.-based Habitat for Humanity International Inc. At the core of the litigation is a proposed affiliation agreement being advanced by the parent organization regarding the governance of its more than 1,700 affiliates throughout the country. Habitat San Antonio, however, chose instead to file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Antonio against Habitat International on Jan. 4 -- just days after the Dec. 31, 2007, deadline for inking the pact. "We feel decisions regarding funding and families can best be made at the local, grassroots level," Wiese says. "Habitat for Humanity has always been a movement. It was not intended to be a franchise." For San Antonio area homes and real estate Deep in the Heart of Texas, call John Thurman of HeartofTexasRealty.com

KLUP SABJ News Reature 3/19/08 Central Park Mall Redevelopment

Park North, a mixed-use project located on the long-dormant site of the former Central Park Mall, has landed a pair of key anchor stakeholders -- a hip new hotel and an upscale entertainment venue. John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with today's San Antonio Business Journal News Feature. Business Journal writers W. Scott Bailey and Tricia Lynn Silva reported that Bruce Barshop, co-owner of the 15-year-old River Center Comedy Club, which is located downtown, says plans are being finalized for a larger 400-seat comedy club in the heart of Park North. Barshop says the venue will include some 10,000 square feet of space and a large stage for national acts and a smaller bar area stage for up-and-coming performers. Developers say these two tenants will help position Park North as the gateway to an emerging mid-town district. The new club will be within walking distance of the new hotel, which will fly the Aloft flag. That project is being developed by Carrollton, Texas-based Champ Hospitality LP. For San Antonio area homes and real estate Deep in the Heart of Texas, call John Thurman of HeartofTexasRealty.com

KLUP SABJ News Feature 3/18/08 Managing SA International Airport Growth

Managing the multimillion-dollar changes at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) would challenge even the most tenured executive. John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with today's San Antonio Business Journal News Feature. San Antonio Business Journal writer, Tamarind Phinisee, reported that Mark Webb, Director of San Antonio's Aviation Department and Airports, has been overseeing the ongoing expansion and growth at the airport for the past two years. Webb notes it's incredibly easy to stay motivated because you see the results of your hard work on a daily basis and you can tell that it really is making a difference in people's lives," Webb says. "When we bring in a new airline or a new nonstop flight, that makes it easier for people to go home and see their family. It makes it easier for a business person to make that meeting that could make or break a project." Since Webb came on board in 2005, passenger traffic has increased from 7.4 million to more than 8 million travelers in 2008. Nonstop flights will grow from 30 to 43 by this spring. The airport boasts a daily average of 20,000 passengers and supports 7,000 airport-related workers -- 500 of whom are direct airport employees. For San Antonio area homes and real estate Deep in the Heart of Texas, call John Thurman of HeartofTexasRealty.com.

KLUP SABJ News Feature 3/12/08 More Nuclear Energy On The Horizon For San Antonio

Nuclear Plant's good track record is paying solid dividends for CPSEnergy. John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with today's San Antnoio Business Journal news breif. Business Journal writer Catherine Dominguez reported that For the past four years, the South Texas Project's two nuclear reactors have produced more energy than any other two-unit plant in the country, say officials with STP Nuclear Operating Co., which manages the plant. The twin reactors produced 23 billion kilowatts of power in 2007. That is enough power to provide 2 million homes with electricity for a year. "We are on our fourth year of not having any unplanned shutdowns of the plant," says Jim Nesrsta, vice president of power plant construction and nuclear oversight for San Antonio-based CPS Energy. "If the plant stays online and is operating safely, we ... produce a lot of electricity." CPS Energy, which owns 40 percent of the STP plant, has historically had some of the lowest energy rates in Texas, and even nationwide. For San Antonio area homes and real estate Deep in the Heart of Texas, call John Thurman of HeartofTexasRealty.com

KLUP SABJ News Feature 3/13/08 More Retail for Far West Side

Developers pushing forward on far West side projects. John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with today's San Antonio Business Journal News Feature. San Antonio Business Journal writer, Tricia Lynn Silva, reported that while plans for bringing some 4,000 homes to the city's far West Side remain in limbo, developers are moving forward to develop some much-needed retail space in the area. Case in point is Houston-based development firm Weingarten Realty, which owns 200 acres of land along Potranco Road and State Highway 211. Long-term plans for Weingarten's project could ultimately call for a mix of retail, office, hospitality and potentially some medical development, according to Eric Strauss, regional director for Weingarten. The firm's project is located within a larger master-planned development called Stevens Ranch. All told, Stevens Ranch spans more than 2,000 acres of land along Potranco and Hwy. 211. For San Antonio area homes and real estate Deep in the Heart of Texas, call John Thurman of HeartofTexasRealty.com

KLUP SABJ News Feature 3/11/2008 Local Leaders Seek Fix For Urban Sprawl Around Military Bases

Local leaders seek a fix for development sprawl near military bases. John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with today's San Antonio Business Journal News Feature. San Antonio Business Journal writer, Catherine Dominguez, reported that City of San Antonio and Bexar County representatives are revisiting the issue of encroachment on local military bases and this time they are teaming up with other communities to help develop legislation to protect those installations locally and across the state. Bexar County Commissioner Lyle Larson says that while the growth of the community is vital, protecting military installations also is crucial. He adds that encroachment on Camp Bullis, located just northwest of San Antonio in Bexar County, could jeopardize the mission at Fort Sam Houston. "If you listen to the military folks, the medical command (at Fort Sam Houston) is predicated on Camp Bullis continuing to operate as it is today," he says. "If there is a change in the mission (at Camp Bullis), then all that is threatened." For San Antonio area homes and real estate Deep in the Heart of Texas, call John Thurman of HeartofTexasRealty.com

KLUP SABJ News Feature 3/10/08 NCAA Mens' Final Four

San Antonio, host of the 2008 NCAA Men's Final Four, has used high-profile sports events to help build up its reputation as a major tourism destination. John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty here with today's San Antonio Business Journal News Feature. San Antonio Business Journal writer, W. Scott Bailey, reported that national sports marketing firms from New York to Los Angeles are hoping to benefit from the popularity 2008 NCAA Men's Final Fourby bringing high-end hoops fans -- including potentially hundreds of corporate executives -- to the nation's seventh largest city to celebrate one of college sports' greatest events. One of those firms is TSE Sports & Entertainment. Robert Tuchman is president of the New York firm, which markets hospitality packages atmarquee sporting events to corporate clients. The firm brought a number of key corporate executives to San Antonio for the 2004 Final Four. "San Antonio is absolutely perfect for this event," Tuchman says. "I can't rave enough about that city." For San Antonio area homes and real estate Deep in the Heart of Texas, call John Thurman of HeartofTexasRealty.com