NEW ROCHELLE, NY-Approximately 300 people attended AvalonBay Communities'

MOUNT VERNON, NY-A partner with G&S Investors, a Long Island-based company, reports that the firm will begin construction on a $40-million retail project on Sanford Blvd. bere by this spring.

ELMSFORD, NY-The New York/Connecticut office of Mack-Cali Realty Corp., announced the winners of its Thirteenth Annual Broker Hall of Fame awards, which included Phil Luria of Austin Corporate Properties who was named Broker of the Year for 2000.

STAMFORD, CT-Abbey National Treasury Services PLC, the fifth largest bank in Britain, will establish a US headquarters operation in more than 17,000 sf of space at 400 Atlantic St., the former Champion International building.

WHITE PLAINS-Two noted economists told commercial brokers that while the economy is definitely slowing down, a recession is unlikely this year. In fact, both predicted the economy will pick up by the second half of this year.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY-The New York State Empire Zone program issued its final report for business growth and Dutchess County's Zone ranked number one for new job creations and value of investment.

SHELTON, CT-TranSwitch Corp. has increased its presence here to 70,000 sf with a 9,600 sf sublease deal at 2 Enterprise Drive. Retail Marketing Systems LLC holds the lease for the space.

SHELTON, CT-Inrange Technologies has sold its property at 1 Waterview Dr. here for $5.5 million to a New Jersey-based real estate investment firm. The building totals 92,000 sf of space.