BOCA RATON, FL-The real estate investment trust reports the weighted average gross rental rate on new leases signed increased $12.39 per sf over the second quarter.

ORLANDO-Despite 9.7 million sf of total warehouse, distribution, flex product lying vacant in metro Orlando, CB Richard Ellis Inc. broker David Murphy sees a rally coming in the third and fourth quarters, but doesn't expect a full recovery until at least the first period in 2002.

BLOOMINGTON, MN- James K. Slinger replaces William Young, who retires. The company also elects new directors: Gary Heppelmann, Gary Krocak, Mike Lynch, James Mrozek, Roger Raaum, Raymond Schwartz and Slinger.

OCALA, FL-The 79,500-sf Heathrow Commons Shopping Center, 80 miles northwest of Downtown Orlando, is scheduled to break ground in September, anchored by a 54,340-sf Publix Supermarkets Inc. store, one of the grocer's largest prototype models.