ALAMEDA, CA-Charges against IRES California, Inc. and Albertson's have been dropped, after the California Court of Appeal ruled that neither party is guilty of violating state unfair business competition laws.

BERKELEY, CA-Emeryville's latest addition is the $100-million Bay Street shopping center, which opened up this month. The complex includes 400,000-sf retail and entertainment space, a 230-room mid-rise hotel, a 16-screen Cineplex, 284 apartments and 82 town homes.

HERCULES, CA-The City of Hercules, in an effort to attract biotech companies into the area, has targeted vacant office space as potential sites for biotech incubators, which are a proven way to retain new biotech firms.

RICHMOND, CA-The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians wants to pay $10 million for a Richmond dock property and turn it into a Las Vegas-style casino. The Richmond City Council held a preliminary hearing late last week and appointed a subcommittee to study the proposal.

BERKELEY, CA-The City of Berkeley plans to cut costs and improve operations with the purchase of a 96,000-sf building on Civic Center Park, which will be bought for $18.5 million.

SACRAMENTO-San Diego based commercial and industrial developer The Allen Group will establish a Northern California presence with the development of an office and hotel complex.

SAN JOSE-The city's redevelopment agency is in discussions with developer Mission West Properties for the construction of a bioscience incubator it hopes will help make San Jose a major bioscience hub.

SAN JOSE-The City of San Jose pays the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority approximately $8.5 million for a five-acre parcel on which it plans to develop affordable housing. The VTA, meanwhile, is using the proceeds to buy railroad right of way.