ST. PAUL-The tax increment financing district is expected to contribute $75 million to the $1-billion mixed-use project on the Mississippi River.

MINNEAPOLIS-The founder of Paramount Real Estate Corp. represents the best of his profession, according to the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors.

ST. PAUL-The $16.2-billion merger will create the second largest commercial insurer in the US, which will be based here. The transaction, which requires the approval by the shareholders of both companies and regulators, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2004.

ST. PAUL-The chambers of commerce of each city are gearing up efforts to make stadium proposals for both the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings. The agency that owns the Metrodome is kicking in $500,000 to aid the process.

MINNEAPOLIS-With a new prototype restaurant in West Des Moines, the restaurant and microbrewery plans to eventually add six more restaurants in the Midwest.

MINNEAPOLIS-The big entertainment district Downtown lands two restaurants, a comedy club and a spa all totaling over 20,000 sf.

ST. PAUL-The Bridges of St. Paul is a one-million-sf, mixed-use development project that is planned to be built along the banks of the Mississippi River across from Downtown.

MINNEAPOLIS-After hitting a 10-year high vacancy rate, the office market should see some slight improvement between now and next summer.