CHICAGO- The nation's largest industrial REIT will develop a huge, 1.7 million-sf distribution facility for the consumer products giant in Scranton, PA. The new project is indicative of the kinds of "value added" development deals First Industrial is aggressively pursuing as the REIT refocuses its business strategy.

CHICAGO- Real estate developer and investor has bought two department store properties in Colorado and Texas from struggling Montgomery Wards.

CHICAGO-Real estate tech firm is unveiling new elements to its online lease-transaction platform over the next six months. Comro.com officials stress that the new service will not be designed to cut out the middleman.

CHICAGO- The Chicago Housing Authority's plan for 2001 calls for a comprehensive rehab of all seniors housing to begin next year. Demolition of high-rise projects will continue, with work on several new low-rise developments slated to begin next year.

CHICAGO- Prolific near-north condo developer JDL Development says a deal to buy the Blake-Lamb Funeral Home property is imminent. Due to last month's down zoning ordinances, the purchase price may have been cut in half as JDL's plans for a 21-story building on the site are scaled down to 15-stories.

CHICAGO-The nation's largest office REIT has sold a Massachusetts business center for $24 million. Analysts say this could be this first of many dispositions in the wake of the trust's merger with Beacon Properties.

CHICAGO- The nation's largest industrial REIT has reached a preliminary agreement to sell its huge 50-property, Long Island portfolio to an undisclosed buyer. The trust says its eight-market, nationwide disposition plan continues to move forward.

CHICAGO- The nation's largest industrial REIT has reached a preliminary agreement to sell its huge 50-property, Long Island portfolio to an undisclosed buyer. The trust says its eight-market, nationwide disposition plan continues to move forward.