WEDNESDAY
WALKING THE WALK: Archdale focuses on pedestrian plan. 1B
July 28, 2010 127th year No. 209
SIDEWALK FEUD: Council to consider Main Street signs. 2A
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MOORE WANTS MORE: Golfer hopes for repeat performance. 1C
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UPS AND DOWNS
WHO’S NEWS
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Commercial real estate continues its struggle
Teresa Jo Styles, a professor in the department of journalism and mass communication at North Carolina A&T State University, participated in the Edelman New Media Academic Summit, co-hosted by New York University and Syracuse University.
BY PAM HAYNES ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
HIGH POINT – An activity increase in the commercial real estate market may not be translating into closed sales or signed leases, but real estate agents say they’ll take it. The commercial and industrial real estate sector is continuing its own struggle this summer as residential real estate is exiting a year of improved sales attributed to the federal government’s homebuyer tax credit program. The lack of jobs, funding for new businesses and even the sweepstakes ban that will take effect Dec. 1, however, are expected to contribute to another long, stagnant year for commercial property. “We saw a lot of activity in the beginning of the year,” said Mark Lindsay, broker in charge at The Skeen Group in High Point. “By activity, I mean a lot of people looking for leases rather than buying. But a lot of them are just looking and don’t want to do anything for another six months or so.” The activity is an improvement, and Lindsay said he
INSIDE
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SONNY HEDGECOCK | HPE
Some say the statewide ban on online sweepstakes machines will deal a blow to the commercial property market. has seen some entrepreneurs who want to start new businesses in the area. But being approved for a loan to start the business has been a problem for some, while others are taking their time by shopping around for the most inexpensive property. Calvin Reynolds, owner of W. Calvin Reynolds & Associates Inc., said the increased activity is a good sign, but
it can also lead to false hope at times. He cites Apixir Pharma Sciences, what was supposed to be a start-up pharmaceutical and biotech firm, as an example. The city approved up to $35,000 in economic incentives if the company made High Point its home, but principals involved announced last week that plans to formulate the company had dissolved.
“A lot of this volatility will be repeated,” Reynolds said. “They’re going to come and go for a while. In my opinion, (the real estate market) just won’t ever be what it used to be.” Also, online sweepstakes cafes have popped up in many office and retail spaces across the city. The statewide ban going into place Dec. 1 will deal another blow to the commercial property market
with which the industry will have to cope, Lindsay said. “Those businesses are taking up vacant space, paying their rent and creating an income for themselves,” he said. “All of the buildings who have these tenants are going to be stuck with more vacant buildings, which is what we don’t need.” phaynes@hpe.com | 888-3617
GIVING THANKS: United Way hands out recognitions. 1B OBITUARIES
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Seven arrested in cockfighting bust BY PAT KIMBROUGH ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
RANDOLPH COUNTY – Seven people, including two from High Point, face charges after authorities in Randolph County busted an alleged cockfighting
operation over the weekend. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Asheboro Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, the Randolph County Health Department and the Humane Society of the United States executed a
search warrant Saturday at 7405 U.S. 64 West after receiving information about illegal cockfighting at that location. When officers arrived, people started fleeing the scene. Some suspects were detained at the site, but two managed to get away. Of-
ficers arrested seven people at the scene and seized three firearms, one of which had been reported stolen, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash. A large amount of marijuana
DON DAVIS JR. | HPE FILE
For the first six months of this year, passenger boardings are off 9.8 percent at Piedmont Triad International Airport.
GREENSBORO – Piedmont Triad International Airport officials continue to seek new and expanded passenger service while still coping with declining traffic this year. PTIA Executive Director Ted Johnson was in Atlanta last week speaking with representatives of a carrier, though Johnson said Tuesday he couldn’t elaborate. However, Johnson said PTIA officials consistently reach out to airlines about service. “We go all over the place chasing these airlines,” Johnson said Tuesday afternoon following the monthly meeting of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority. Airport officials have had conversations with representatives of three to four airlines in the past two to three months and may communicate with up to three more airlines by the end of the year, he said.
FLIGHTS
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Piedmont Triad International Airport currently is served by seven airlines providing 66 daily flights to 16 airports along the East Coast and in the South and Midwest. The two carriers with the greatest number of flights to and from PTIA are USAirways and Delta.
Authority Chairman Henry Issacson said Delta should replace its 50-seat regional jets serving PTIA from HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport with larger jets in the near future. PTIA doesn’t have a time frame yet on the changeover, Issacson said. PTIA, which currently has 66 daily flights, has struggled with flight totals because of the recession, restructuring in the airline industry and competition from two, nearby larger facilities, Raleigh-Durham International Air-
WEATHER
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BUST, 2A
Airport continues search for greater passenger service BY PAUL B. JOHNSON ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
Latasia Eury, 8 Lula Goings, 92 David Hill Jr., 30 Jannie Jackson, 81 Stamie Johnson, 89 Robert McIntyre Jr., 66 Naomi Williams, 89 Edna Wiley Obituaries, 2B
port and Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. For the first six months of this year, passenger boardings are off 9.8 percent, down from 428,465 passengers through June last year to 386,664 through June this year. Some members of High Point City Council recently have questioned whether the airport is turning its focus away from passenger service to freight with the addition of the FedEx Corp. cargo hub. FedEx opened its latest national cargo hub at PTIA a little more than a year ago. Johnson said PTIA remains committed to expanding passenger service. Rather than hurting that cause, FedEx will assist with it in the long term, he said. As the hub draws in more industry to take advantage of the overnight sorting operation, business growth would generate potential demand for PTIA passenger service, Johnson said.
Patchy storms High 90, Low 74 8C
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