CHARLOTTE- Fourth-quarter core revenues for the telecommunications firm amounted to $30.5 million, a 16% increase over the third quarter. For all of 2000, core business revenue rose to $101.8 million compared to $53.5 million for the year before.

CHARLOTTE-City leaders are bundling a new Downtown arena with six other Downtown projects. Because five of the projects would be nonprofit and cultural, tax-exempt bonds with lower interest rates could be used.

RALEIGH, NC-Though total revenues were down for Highwoods Properties in 2000, the company saw its FFO increase 12.8% in the fourth quarter, to $64.2 million compared to $61.1 million in fourth quarter 1999.

CHARLOTTE- Asset Management Technologies has contracted with Raleigh, NC-based Highwoods Properties, Inc. to improve the REIT's lease accounting methods. The abstracting service will include the electronic conversion of about 3,000 leases. The value of the contract was not disclosed in the company's news release.

DURHAM, NC-Construction will begin in April on the reconstruction project on I-85 in Durham between Camden Avenue And Broad Street. Granite Construction Co. is expected to complete the project in December 2004 after building eight bridges and paving 2.2 miles of highway. Durham is 100 miles northeast of Downtown Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE-A 135,000-sf Home Depot retail store and a 10,000-sf CBS Pharmacy will anchor the first 145,000-sf phase of Promenade on Providence, scheduled to open this summer. The estimated hard construction cost is $40 million.

CHARLOTTE-A 135,000-sf Home Depot retail store and a 10,000-sf CBS Pharmacy will anchor the first 145,000-sf phase of Promenade on Providence, scheduled to open this summer. The estimated hard construction cost is $40 million.