SAN FRANCISCO-In an effort to cut expenses after the failure of an $800 million merger with Verizon Communications, NorthPoint Communications Group Inc. slashes 19% of its workforce and contemplates its leasing options in San Francisco and Emeryville.

WALNUT CREEK, CA-The high-speed Internet access spinoff of BRE Properties Inc. says it will halt expansion efforts and concentrate on existing subscribers in the multifamily apartment industry. The news pushed the company's stock price down 72% on Friday.

WALNUT CREEK, CA-The mixed-use project would be called Olympic Place and be located on the block bordered by Mt. Diablo Boulevard, California Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard and Locust Street. The project requires only Design Review Commission approval.

SAN JOSE, CA-The I-880 and Highway 101 widening projects come nearly six months ahead of original plans to being work, but nearly five years after voters approved a sales tax increase to pay for the extra, and overdue, lanes.

MILLBREA, CA-Prime Pacific Global Management Corp. has received approval from the city planning commission for Millbrae Garden Plaza. The Burlingame-based company will break ground on the $45-million, 171,183-sf project in early March.

SAN FRANCISCO-After previously cut deals are figured out of this city's cap on the annual development of office space, only about 115,000-sf remains available for the 1.2 million-sf worth of projects still sought by five different developers.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO-The San Mateo-based company, in a joint venture with local developer Harvey Chapman, pick up three buildings along Gateway Boulevard, where Raiser already has substantial ownership.

HERCULES, CA-This sleepy town has not seen a development boom since more than 4,000 homes were built in the 1970s and 1980s. Some 880 homes, retail shops and parks are now on the way.