ORANGE COUNTY, CA-Vacancy rates in the county's office and flex-tech sector jumped to 17.31% at the end of fourth quarter 2001, according to a recently published report by Lee & Associates. Office vacancy levels here have more than doubled since fourth quarter 2000.

COSTA MESA, CA-Alfred's Picture Frames inks a 27-month sublease for space formerly occupied by Q-Run Corp. The facility is part of Harbor Gateway.

SANTA ANA, CA-The multifamily deals continue to roll in, as a joint venture snatches up the 196-unit apartment complex in Santa Ana. The property, Park Place, was 95% occupied at the time of sale.

COSTA MESA, CA-Back Bay Center LTD snaps up the mixed-use property, which was 98% occupied at the time of sale. The complex encompasses 35,300 sf of retail and 17,700 sf of office space.

COSTA MESA, CA-The buyer, JP Scenic LLC, is also the property's sole occupant.

ALISO VIEJO, CA-The joint venture between Fluor Corp and Duke Energy Corp. will construct a 600-megawatt facility in New Mexico, a 620-megawatt facility in Washington and a 1,200-megawatt facility in Nevada. The three projects combined are worth more than $1.2 billion.

BREA, CA-Irvine-based Snyder Langston breaks ground on the Evangelical Christian Credit Union, which is rising on Imperial Highway in Brea. The complex, which is being built in three phases, will eventually include four buildings.

SANTA ANA, CA-The sale of the 383-unit apartment complex is the most recent transaction to occur here in the past month, as a flurry of multifamily activity has swept the county since the start of the first quarter. The property, which features a number of amenities, was 93% occupied at the time of sale.