Globest Sectors

SPOKANE, WA-Avista Corp. intends to ask regulators in Washington and Idaho to OK an energy surcharge to electricity customers in both states. The surcharge is intended to offset the costs of a severe shortage of hydropower generation and volatile energy market prices.

BOSTON-The neighborhood of Brookline here in the city is suddenly faced with the possibility of being able to develop ten surplus acres owned by the state. The town has yet to decide what to do but it is its first significant development opportunity in years.

GEORGETOWN, TX-Developer Greg Hall is courting prospective retailers nationwide for about 113 acres that he has just bought in Georgetown. A NorthMarq Capital VP, who handled a $4.3-million transaction for the buy, says Hall is wooing big boxes.

BOSTON-The plan to build a new ballpark for the Boston Red Sox here in the Fenway right next to the old one appears to be fading and potential buyers for the team are scrambling to find sites in other locations.

EAST HARTFORD, CT-Lend Lease Real Estate Investments has sold the four-building portfolio here to Baker Properties. CB Richard Ellis represented Lend Lease and Baker Properties in the transaction.

HOUSTON-Two down, one more to go in public input sessions in Galveston, where officials are weighing a port merger with the Port of Houston. Galveston is the only required voting entity that has not OK'd the merger plan.

CHANDLER, AZ-Fairfield Residential has started yet another apartment complex in the Valley. The 288-unit Cantera in Chandler is being positioned on 20 acres, recently bought for more than $2 million.

BELLEVUE, WA-The locally based Laptop Lane has announced the opening of its newest business center at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The new Laptop Lane location in the North Satellite, between gates N8 and N9, is the ninth store the company has added this year.