SALEM, OR-The city will now begin crafting an agreement with Phoenix Inn hotel chain owner VIP's Industries, which plans to sell the city the land for the $18-million project and then build a hotel next door to service it.

FLORHAM PARK, NJ-Depite recent woes, Global Crossing still has enough steam to ink a major deal at Gale's Seven Giralda Farms. The deal was one of some 180,000 sf closed recently by the Gale Co.

SAN DIEGO-The retired law professor who lost his lawsuit against the downtown ballpark has filed more court papers asserting that the judge in the case should be disqualified.

LOS ANGELES-The publishing house giant Hachette Filipacchi Media has expanded its Los Angeles office across from the Wilshire Courtyard office complex. The company has signed a five-year, $1.6-million agreement for 12,500 sf.