The assessment was leveled at Criner's annual "state of themarket" address designed to close out the year. There is 3.3million sf under construction in the CBD and the promise of spaceblocks coming on line due to Enron's meltdown. "Space will have tobe re-priced to bring people in from the suburbs. I challengeanyone to find internal demand for that space," he tellsGlobeSt.com.

Criner is a strong believer in the downtown's vibrancy.Ultimately, he says the market will absorb the office space comingon line. The Catch-22 is rents will have to be decreased for thatto happen, he says. In the past year, CBD class A rent has spiked8% and 23% in the last three years, according to Criner. Theaverage class A rent has risen 84% in the past five years.

Conversely, suburban class A space has not increased in price inthe last year. And, it's up just 6% for the past three years and52% in the last five.