GAITHERSBURG, MD-Scheer Partners' Biotech Services Group helped the biotech firm find the 25-acre site. The 210,000-sf facility was designed by HOK and will be constructed by Quadrangle Development Corp.

COLUMBIA, MD-The Rouse Company officials report first-quarter FFO of $70.5 million, up from $63.1 million last year, and say despite a slowing economy, its properties have high occupancy rates and increased rents.

ROCKVILLE, MD-The REIT, which has major developments under way in Arlington, VA and San Jose, CA, reports its FFO increased 66 cents a share during the first quarter, and income was up 4.2%.

WASHINGTON, DC-The Urban Land Institute says while industry will go through a slowdown through mid-2002, real estate will be a defensive investment. Survey participants named Washington, DC the best for investment and Atlanta the worst.

WASHINGTON, DC-Locally headquartered Karchem Properties will advise the law firm of Shook, Hardy & Bacon in the construction of the law firm's new 600,000-sf build-to-suit headquarters in downtown Kansas City.

RICHMOND, VA-Crocker Realty Trust sold the buildings for $21.2 million. Cushman & Wakefield represented Crocker in the sale, part of 6.2 million sf it has assisted the company in selling across the country.

COLUMBIA, MD-The REIT created Corporate Office Services LLC to provide land planning, design/build services, consulting and merchant development services. Dwight S. Taylor has been named president.

SILVER SPRING, MD-Choice Hotels International's presidents credited the upgrade from "negative" to "stable" to an improved cash flow, thanks in part to the payment of a receivable note.