LOS ANGELES-As consumer confidence dwindles, the latest report from Marcus & Millichap predicts retail sales will slow to a 5% growth rate, down from an 8% to 9% increase in 2000.

BOSTON-Hundreds of affordable housing units are going to be built here using linkage funds, which are fees collected from developers building large projects in this city. Mayor Menino has been criticized in the past for neglecting the issue of affordable housing.

CHICAGO- New York City-based Cushman & Wakefield forms a "strategic alliance" with Near North Side retail brokerage firm Baum Realty Group, which closed approximately 25% of Loop retail deals during the past five years.

CHICAGO- Columbus, OH-based Pizzuti Cos. vice president of sales and leasing Bill Baumgardner says "The activity is very strong with the big-box users -- 500,000-sf or more...the quality of the companies looking has been very good.