SEATTLE-Colliers International's first-quarter vacancy rate survey shows a figure of 7.8% for Downtown, more than double the 3.5% recorded at the end of 2000. The amount of sublease space also has nearly doubled.

VANCOUVER, WA-In the works since last fall, preliminary plans filed this week have the company widening an I-5 exit ramp and a frontage road in order to obtain building approvals for a 143,000-sf store in the Salmon Creek area.

KANSAS CITY-A new parking garage will be built first for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. That will be followed by construction of new 140,000-sf wing. The entire $115-million project is expected to be completed by 2005.

DETROIT-Mayor Dennis Archer isn't happy his city's population dipped into six figures. However, the last census showed a percentage decline in single digits for the first time in three decades.