SAN ANTONIO-Four developers have projects under way in the northwest corridor, which is to grow by 30% over the next five years. The work's taking place at State Loop 1604 and Blanco Road, a magnet for nationwide retailers.

AUSTIN-The Texas Apartment Association is pushing legislation for special licenses to enable property managers to offer tenants' insurance at lease signing time. Opponent State Farm says the proposed bills threaten business.

AUSTIN-Four leases, including a renewal, recently have come down the pike. Applied Material has signed for the largest spot in a 13,550-sf renewal at Southpark in the city's southern corridor.

AUSTIN-Johnson & Johnson is ready to sell its over-the-counter manufacturing plant and 65 acres of prime land. The operation is headed to a new plant in Puerto Rico. The good news for any buyer is that the company might go for an interim sale-leaseback deal.

AUSTIN-The first of four industrial buildings, totaling 242,000 sf, in Pflugerville's Wells Point One Business Park delivers in a month. Applied Materials is taking 30,000 sf of the 50,000-sf structure. Spertus Investments owns the 20-acre project.

AUSTIN-Dirt's flying on the Villas of Lost Canyon, a high-end condo project along Barton Springs Road. Heiser Development is the developer, with Robert Heiser also acting as the architect. The first phase delivers in summer 2002.

AUSTIN-The Austin Design Commission is looking to standardize a project checklist for Smart Growth incentives so that aesthetics can't sway project approvals. The proposed changes are being readied for presentation to the commission in May.

SAN ANTONIO-A Dallas owner has refinanced a $3.8-million loan for the 210-unit Park at Presa in San Antonio. The financing is being used to upgrade the 15-year-old complex and retire existing debt. Metropolitan Financing Corp. has handled the transaction.