HOUSTON-Dr. Barton A. Smith of the University of Houston's Center for Public Policy has collated data that shows the office vacancy rate is dropping and will continue to do so through 2006. By 2003, it will be below 10%.

AUSTIN-An active Austin-area developer, Buffalo Equities, has bought about three acres in the city's southwestern tier. The land is zoned for retail and is well positioned at the entrance to Austin Community College's Pinnacle campus.

CLACKAMAS, OR-The approximately $4 million lease deal brings the 103,744-sf office building completed in Sept. 2000 to 50% leased. Allied, a subsidiary of Nationwide Insurance is expanding from approximately 15,000 sf at the 1500 Building in Portland's Lloyd District.

EDISON, NJ-The wholesaler is moving to a new one million-sf distribution facility nearby, making its existing space at Raritan Center available. Colliers Houston is marketing the property.