TACOMA, WA-A strong regional economy and leasing rates well below Seattle's skyrocketing prices are making Tacoma attractive to developers, says Gary Pedersen, the city's manager of building and land use services.

WAYNE, NJ-The bankrupt supermarket chain is delivered to one of its major wholesale suppliers, which is making its first venture into the retail arena. The new owner won in a court-ordered bankruptcy auction.

PORTLAND-Despite city planning policies that discourage the vacation of streets to create larger blocks for development, Nicholson Development Properties of Seattle is hoping it will gain approval because of what it will do for the neighborhood.

ST. PAUL, MN-Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura hopes they will serve as models for other ventures, enabling residents, in his words, "to develop by choice, not by chance.