WASHINGTON, DC-A recent report by Grubb & Ellis details high vacancy rates, 39% nationwide. But the firm says the outlook is far from bleak. However, in this region, the pain is acute as space sits dormant and new construction is put on hold or abandoned altogether.

NEW YORK CITY-Although it reached a new high last week, on Friday the Morgan Stanley REIT Index slipped a little more than three points. Net inflows to real estate mutual funds, on the other hand, were $81.6 million, the largest for a week in almost a year.

ORLANDO-Shot down on its earlier thrust to have the city/county/state build a new $250-million arena, the Richard DeVos ownership family of the NBA team is pressing for public funds by December so that the work may begin in early 2002 and be completed for the 40-home game schedule in 2003.

CAMBRIDGE, MA-A group of residents who oppose Lyme Properties' $400-million mixed-use project being developed in Kendall Square respond to a lawsuit by Lyme Properties. The company contends that the residents' continuous opposition to the project breaks an agreement the developer had with the residents.