SAN DIEGO-A private partner of real estate titan Jay Shidler makes a big San Diego play, paying $38.1 million for five industrial and R&D business parks. The properties--located in Miramar, Sorrento Valley and Sorrento Mesa--have a combined sf of 537,345.

ORANGE COUNTY,CA-The Federal government seeks to ban development of 12,060 prime acres, fearing that new projects would doom recently discovered 'fairy shrimp' species.

CHICAGO-The $1.5 billion Lakeside East project should have city hall's blessing by the end of the year, with construction starting in the spring, developer says. Reaction to the lower density, mostly residential-focused plan ranged from "it's much better" to "it's a con job" at last week's community meeting.