Development

ARLINGTON, VA-Hilton affiliate looks for places to expand operations in Washington metro area.

ORLANDO-In an exclusive interview with GlobeSt.com, Orlando developer George D. Livingston, president of the Paris-based International Real Estate Federation, representing 1.5 million professionals in 50 countries, says so-called smart-growth policies "lead to economic advantages and political gains for the few.

ORLANDO-The host of TV's Bill Nye the Science Guy charged the theme park company illegally used his likeness on attractions at Epcot at Lake Buena Vista, FL. Disney denied the allegations. The suit sought $500,000. Settlement terms weren't disclosed.

ORLANDO-GC Cos. of Chestnut Hill, MA, parent of General Cinema Theaters Inc., is shuttering four local properties today with a total 28 screens after apparently failing to find a buyer for the financially-strapped assets. The other theaters are in Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Plantation and Palm Beach Gardens.

CHARLOTTE-This Durham, NC company didn't have to put out bids for a materials contractor to build its new $3.2 million, 4,240-sf plant at 325 E. Hebron St. here. Unicon Concrete is using its own product.

MINNEAPOLIS-11,500-sf building to go up on cleaned-up Minneapolis salvage yard.

MIAMI-Operational shock waves continue to rumble through the movie theater business. Regal Cinemas, both South Florida's and the nation's largest operator, is reported to be shelving plans for new locations and trying to cancel leases on existing properties.

EUGENE, OR-Guard Publishing Co., which owns the Eugene Register-Guard newspaper, wants to develop the Summer Oaks Business Park on 20 acres next to its newspaper office on Chad Drive.