SEATTLE- Demolition permits for Sound Transit's 27-acre operation and maintenance center have been approved by city officials, Mayor Greg Nickels said today.

BELLEVUE, WA-The City Council will review the selection process for choosing a contractor for the Meydenbauer Center expansion. Tonight's action also could influence Schnitzer Northwest's recently submitted plans to build a hotel next to the center.

SEATTLE-Stellar International Holdings, the founder of both Princess and Admiralty cruise lines, now Royal Caribbean Cruises, has named Brian P. Ward president of its U.S. Real Estate Division.

BELLEVUE, WA-Following in the footsteps of Transnation Title Insurance Company, Pacific Real Estate Partners has added itself to the tenant roster at Civica Office Commons. The company will move its offices into the building later this month.

BELLEVUE, WA-Planet Retail Studios, a Seattle design company specializing in retail branding, joins forces with MulvannyG2 Architecture, the 11th largest architectural firm in the United States.

REDMOND, WA-The three-story, 50,000-sf office development sits adjacent Microsoft's world headquarters in Redmond. Developer Metzler North America says it anticipates its first signed tenants by the end of March.

SEATTLE-Located in Bellevue, Renton, Edmonds, Port Orchard, Sunnyside and Veradale, the six Big Mart locations are among 284 nationwide that will begin closing later this year as part of its initial Chapter 11 financial objectives review, assuming the court gives its approval next week.

TACOMA, WA-The Puyallup Tribe plans to construct the state's largest casino on land it owns off of Interstate 5. The $200-million project will include a 250-room hotel, retail shops, restaurants and a lake.