Miami

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.

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.

ORLANDO-The local firm's planned Fruit2Trade operation in January will provide software for the 98-year-old European produce operator. The deal's value was not disclosed.

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL-The development firm that struck gold years ago when it turned several hundred acres of northeast Miami-Dade swampland into the affluent Aventura community is bringing its act to this up-and-coming town between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

ORLANDO-The 2,900-acre International Corporate Park is making its first sale in years. Dallas distributor Sierra Stone Inc. has contracted to buy 37 acres for a 200,000-sf distribution center. The estimated contract price is $3.22 million or about $2 psf. The park is zoned for 20 million sf of commercial.

ORLANDO-Access2re.com.Inc. is betting a $750,000 investment will be paying off for both the young company and the commercial real estate industry in Central Florida as well.

ORLANDO-Vacancies in a niche 5.5 million-sf industrial market category shrink to 10% from 11.6% as tenants average 13,000 sf in new leases, up from an average 5,000 sf per lease in past years