$1.6 billion in data centers; Stars & Mavs; 2024 Endangered list

Pinnacle Bank Texas spent $12.3 million and $30 million with a credit bid to buy back two properties held by Opal Holdings that were in foreclosure. One was Burnett Plaza, the tallest building in downtown Fort Worth, which Opal purchased in 2021 for more than $130 million. The other is a four-building, 450,000-square-foot office park near Six Flags, which the bank purchased with the credit bid. Opal's purchase was in 2021, and the Tarrant Appraisal District valued it at $43 million.  

Prime Data Centers has submitted plans for multiple data centers, including three two-story facilities near Aledo and Chapin School roads valued at $1.6 billion. Work is scheduled to start in September and be completed by 2026.

The Dallas Mavericks lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night, 117-95 in the first round of their best-of-7 matchup in the NBA Western Conference semifinals. The Dallas Stars lost to the Colorado Avalanche in overtime, 4-3, in the first round of their best-of-7 matchup in the NHL Western Conference semifinals.

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Bell has revealed the existence of an autonomous flight demonstrator in Fort Worth, based on the Bell 429. Known as the Aircraft Laboratory for Future Autonomy, the aircraft has been developed by Bell’s Advanced Programs team to test an “aircraft safety system” and perform autonomous fly-by-wire to reduce pilot workload and enhance safety.

Hospitality, entertainment, research and degrees in three years are just part of President Jennifer Cowley’s wide-ranging vision for the University of Texas at Arlington. 

Elbit Systems has secured an initial 24-month contract of approximately $37 million to supply Iron Fist Active Protection Systems for upgrades to the U.S. Army's Bradley M2A4E1 Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

Teatro Bistro has opened in downtown Grapevine at 120 S. Main Street. Celebrity chef Carla Pellegrino from “Top Chef” and “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” crafted the Italian menu of pasta, steaks, seafood and shrimp-and-black garlic grits. Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday and brunch on Sunday.

Marketing madness: An AT&T television ad that is an adaptation of Christina Aguilera’s song “What A Girl Wants” was changed to “What A Pro Wants.” It has aired on national television more than 500 times during NBA and NHL playoff games. According to Sportico, AT&T spent $23 million and has generated more than 729 billion impressions. The two “actors” are Oklahoma City Thunder basketball players Shia Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing prints in two locations — D.C. and Fort Worth. See which prints more money and which prints more passports and Treasury Securities.

Citizens can weigh in on revitalization plans for the historic Butler Place area on the east side of downtown. The Access Butler Place Plan proposes transforming the area's transportation system and reconnecting the urban core. The meeting is tomorrow from 4:40 to 7:30 p.m. at Fort Worth Central Station.

American Airlines in the news:

• Spends $6 million to purchase multiple units of the Analogic ConnectCT system, which provides a 360-degree view of baggage going through a scanner. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will test them at select U.S. airports. 

• Reduces its aircraft delivery forecast for 2024 from 29 to 22. The difference is four fewer Boeing B737-8s and three fewer B787-9s.

• Plans to re-start service from Miami to Haiti May 16. Haiti’s airport and government seaport have been shut down for two months after armed gangs launched a broad assault against the government and key infrastructure.

Housekeeping note: The May/June issue of our print publication is in mailboxes and at advertiser locations. The cover story is about local artist Jan Riggins, who does 3D sidewalk chalk art for local companies and festivals. To read the digital version of the new issue, go here.

Historic Fort Worth has released its 2024 list of endangered places:

• Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Sites, 9601 Fossil Ridge Road

• Commercial Standard Building, 6421 Camp Bowie Blvd.

• Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy St.

• Grand High Court of Heroines of Jericho, 3016 East 4th St.

• Handley Avenue Historic Strip, 6511-6515 East Lancaster Ave.

• R. Vickery School, 2005 E. Vickery Blvd.

Snippets:

• Community Impact has a progress update on the $400M Carillon Parc development in Southlake.

• The U.S. Justice Department is backing Colorado’s bid to block the merger between supermarket giants Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos.

• Insurance, financial and HR services firm Higginbotham has brought on board Barnard Insurance Group of Wichita Falls.

• Fort Worth has been working on its 2025 general budget and projects a $1.049 billion General Fund budget, an increase of $35 million from fiscal 2024.

Survey says: New data from Resume Builder indicates 40% of full-time employees prefer working fully in-person, while 32% favor a hybrid-work model. That means more than 7 in 10 workers of the 1,250 full-time employees surveyed don't prefer full-time remote work. That's a noted turnaround from where things stood in the immediate wake of the pandemic.

Significant stat: According to a study published in Science Advances, Coca-Cola is responsible for more than one-tenth of all plastic pollution worldwide, followed by Pepsi (5%), Nestlé (3%), Danone (3%), and Altria (2%). Overall, 56 brands account for more than half of the world’s plastic pollution.

Announcements:

• ERW Site Solutions: Hires Lauren Leutz as Marketing Manager. 

• FW Inc.: Selects Goff Capital founder John Goff as its 2024 person-of-the-year.

• M2G Ventures: Hires Katie Wharry as Director of Social Impact.

• United Way of Tarrant County: Hires Shanna Snider as Regional Director.

• Taylor Morrison: Hires Nathan Thompson as Vice President of Land Development.

• SWB Agency: Announces virtual services and representation of editorial stylist Jenny B. Davis.

Last poll results: What’s your general view of pharmaceutical companies? Generally supportive (20%), Generally skeptical (51%), Mixed (29%).