Schnitzer Northwest is planning to build an office tower on the so-called Beim and James Block at the base of the Morrison Bridge, which it purchased with the Goodman family two years ago for $5 million. The size of the project is in the process of being determined, but the city's zoning code would allow about 20 stories, not including any height bonuses that may be available in exchange for certain public amenities.

According to real estate sources with knowledge of the decision, Schnitzer specifically requested that Usher be a part of the team before making its selection. Schnitzer's managing investment partner Dan Ivanoff tells GolobeSt all the finalists would likely could have handled the job, but the Fox Tower team's "straight over tackle" experience leasing up a new office buidling and Usher's involvement put it over the top. "Not too many people remember, but Tom was a very successful broker before he became a manager," says one longtime local broker. "I suspect some of the owners of that block remember that."

Terry Shanley, the new managing director for Cushman & Wakefield's local office, says his firm was informed of the decision a week ago last Friday. In addition to Usher and the Fox Tower team, says Shanley, Gordon King's work on the presentation team also helped seal the deal.