Office

ROCKVILLE, MD-The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute gets good news with the governor's recent allotment of funding from the fiscal 2004 capital budget for the $50-million development of the Center for Advance Research in Biotechnology II.

PORTLAND-The president of Portland-based Harsch Investment, a major player in several Western real estate markets, will give a presentation on how Portland stacks up against the rest of the West Coast. US Bancorp's Western Regional Economist John Mitchell also will be on hand.

HOUSTON-Manhattan Resources slides into the 25-month balance of Ultimate Staffing Services in One Houston Center. The inbound tenant has relocated from the FM 1960 submarket while the outbound tenant shifted its CBD team to the Gallera/West Loop.

BIRMINGHAM, MI-Two facilities now offer their owners better use for their dollar as Key Plastics relocates from multiple floors to one and a medical office building receives a $7.3 million loan for refinancing.

AUSTIN-The law firm of Dewey Ballantine becomes the fifth tenant to pre-lease office space in Cousins Properties' Congress at Fourth. The 35,000-sf, 10-year lease carries the 525,000-sf tower to 34% filled, with the opening still 10 months away.

WASHINGTON, DC-In a deal between seller F Street Group and buyer Grosvenor Atlantic Ltd. the building at 1777 F St. gets snapped up for $17 million. The structure is currently valued at $10.5 million and is fully occupied by Federal Housing Finance Board through 2006.