NEWARK-The contract, agreed on in December, raises wages and protects health care for 7,000 office building cleaners around the state, according to Local 32BJ Service Employees International Union.

PARSIPPANY, NJ-Despite a slow recovery, the state’s best office buildings continue to benefit from a flight to quality, says Jones Lang LaSalle’s fourth quarter office report.

SECAUCUS, NJ-Construction will begin in the spring at the Residence Inn by Marriott, even as The Children’s Place expands its headquarters at the mixed-use complex, says Hartz Mountain Industries.

FLORHAM PARK, NJ-The former VP of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods will focus on debt, structure finance and joint ventures for commercial real estate in the Northeast.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ-With $21 million in “rescue” loans provided from its 100 Mile Fund in 2011, Procida Funding sees even more opportunity ahead in 2012.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ-Cushman & Wakefield’s fourth quarter 2011 market overviews see major positive absorption in the central portion of the state as part of a continuing recovery that should continue this year.

CARLISLE, PA-The deal, to close in the first half of 2012, is part of parent company Safeway’s plan to exit the market.

JLL and the CRDA also are holding public hearings on the plan, but good for them in embracing technology to allow all interested in the future of Atlantic City – even if they’re just there to drop some coins in a casino – to have their say.