Cousins hits pause button on sale of part of downtown's 191 Peachtree tower

As an office market, downtown Atlanta hasn’t been as hot as Midtown, Buckhead or the central Perimeter over the past decade.

Lately, however, downtown is creating a lot of buzz about its tourism industry, new apartment projects and investment in incubator space. That momentum is spreading to the office market.

Late last year, Cousins Properties Inc. (NYSE: CUZ) was exploring a joint-venture on its 191 Peachtree tower, and technically the Atlanta real estate company didn’t take the option of selling…

Krispy Kreme opening delayed

Krispy Kreme fans will have to wait a little longer for the doughnut company’s return to Houston.

North Carolina-based Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (NYSE: KKD) originally listed Feb. 17 as the opening date for its northwest Houston location, but that has since been changed to “TBD.”

Now, the location is expected to open by late April or May, the director of operations for Dulce Restaurants LLC told Eater Houston, which first reported the change.

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Military budget increase would be welcomed — but not needed — by Jacksonville's largest defense contractor

With the uncertainty of whether President Barack Obama’s military budget, which marks the first increase in defense spending since sequestration, will pass, some local defense contractors are hopeful for the future but remain cautious.

One of those is military construction firm Sauer Inc., Jacksonville’s largest military contractor.

“On the surface it would sound favorable,” said Gary Weeks, vice president of Sauer’s federal division. “It depends on where he puts that money. If it’s for facilities,…

Transocean CEO steps down

Transocean President and CEO Steven Newman has stepped down from his role and resigned as a director effective Feb. 16.

Switzerland-based Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG), which has its main U.S. office in Houston, named Chairman Ian Strachan as the interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent replacement. Strachan has served as a director of the company since 1999 and as chairman since May 2013.

The offshore drilling company said the move was a mutual agreement between Newman and the Transocean…

Another win for Xcel in utility-takeover battle with Boulder

Boulder’s attempt to condemn elements of Xcel Energy Inc.’s electrical system that serves the city and surrounding areas in order to set up a city-owned electric utility has been turned back in court.

Boulder County Judge Judith LaBuda on Friday granted a motion by Xcel (NYSE: XEL) to dismiss the city’s condemnation case. The case was dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning the city can refile it later.

Boulder city officials were expecting the decision, the Boulder Daily Camera reports.

The judge…