PHOENIX-The Birmingham, AL-based pharmaceuticals giant opens its fourth mail service facility in the US at Cotton Center Commons in Phoenix. The build-to-suit, started in July 2001, was mortared in location, infrastructure and workforce availability.

GLENDALE, AZ-The 20,748-sf industrial building satisfies a 1031 Exchange for a Phoenix-based investor. The buyer of 5022 N. 54th Ave. in Glendale gets a fully leased building for the money.

BUCKEYE, AZ-An existing trans-loading facility will be leased by Southern States Power Co. and converted into a biodiesel production plant. The facility is one of several business strategies being put into play for the Western markets.

PHOENIX-Helping Hands will use the Crest Apartments to help families transition from working to middle class. The seller parts with the complex at 1530 E. Sahauro Dr. after owning it a year and completing a renovation.

PHOENIX-Schmitt Jewelers will relocate in early 2003 into a 3,000-sf spot at North Central Shops, now under construction. The retailer moves from its 30-year spot into one with heightened visibility, but still positioned in Central Phoenix.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ-The news comes at the Trend Watch 2002 conference. Job growth will be strong in the next two years, but for now rents are down, vacancy is up and new construction is outpacing the demand.

PHOENIX-The 181,759-sf building in the Sky Harbor Center gets labeled surplus in the Miller Brands-Pearce Beverage merger. The brokers say it's a rare find in the region because it's the only one of its size with intermodal capabilities.

PHOENIX-The rents are holding relatively firm for all product type although occupancy admittedly is up just a shade. The metro region's stable rates get the credit for across-the-board increased leasing activity.