NEW YORK CITY-Some 28,000 apartment workers-- including doormen, janitors and elevator operators--will be on the job today as union officials and the RAB come to terms after weeks of contract negotiations.

NEW YORK CITY-Mitsui & Co. inks a 15-year re-up at the MetLife Building, where rents hover in the mid 60s per foot. While Insignia is mum on details, sources familiar with the deal put the agreed-upon rent between $55 and $60 per sf.

NEW YORK CITY-No one ever said '03 was going to be a cake walk. REITs are on their way to proving it. The only ray of hope falls on retail and finance sectors.

NEW YORK CITY-We've hit bottom and the market has stabilized, local area players are telling GlobeSt.com. Of course, how long we bounce along the bottom is still a matter of guesswork.

NEW YORK CITY-RFPs are going out today for bids on commercial loans secured by nine portfolios of assets around the country. Carlton executives plan final bids to be awarded at the end of May.

BROOKLYN, NY-It's all a strategy to preserve the city's commercial tenant base, says Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff. But it will cost some $100 million in infrastructure improvements alone.

NEW YORK CITY-The city wants its tax money from foreign governments that are allegedly using city properties for more than tax-exempt purposes. At least one embassy says that the city's interpretation is wrong while another says a settlement is in the works.

NEW YORK CITY-At today's conference, keynoter Leo Wells inspires the packed room to overcome fear while at least one lender admits that maybe--given conditions--a bit of fear is a good thing.