Huge HQ Projects Rising in Fort Worth

"This new plant will mean jobs, paychecks and a higher standard of living for thousands of Texans while helping Texas to build a stronger, more diverse economy," Texas Gov. Rick Perry said on learning of Toyota's San Antonio site selection. As the state builds an automotive vendor system from virtually scratch, that standard of living only figures to rise higher.
        But Texas, because it's in the middle of things, was already pulling in its share of large headquarters and distribution center projects.

"Each state has their own published standard incentive programs, but I also find each state on a case-by-case basis is willing to do things above and beyond that." – Walter Berry, program manager, Bollinger Shipyards

        Fort Worth is the scene of two huge headquarters projects by major U.S. retail chains that already call the city home. Now both will relocate to the banks of the Trinity River, which bisects the city.
        Pier 1 Imports plans a 20-story, $90-million headquarters building to be built over the next two years. The 440,000-sq.-ft. (40,900-sq.-m.) building will initially be home to nearly 900 employees, satisfying the company's anticipated space requirements through 2015. Construction began in January 2003 with a target move-in date of fall 2004. Currently, Pier 1 corporate offices are split among three downtown Fort Worth buildings.
        RadioShack is building a 900,000-sq.-ft. (83,600-sq.-m.) corporate campus. Construction began last December and the project will finish in late 2004 or early 2005. The campus will include three 6-story office buildings, a commons area and amenities building and a flagship RadioShack store.
        One of the state's latest distribution center projects is going up in Sealy, where Wal-Mart Stores is building a new 1.2-million-sq.-ft. (111,500-sq.-m.) facility. Construction will begin this spring and the center will be operational in a year. About 600 jobs are planned.