"Fast-food chains such as Burger King, McDonalds and Chic-Fil-A saw some activity, though it is clear that Orlando, particularly along the tourist corridor, has become saturated for the moment," Steven M. Ekovich, vice president/regional manager, Marcus & Millichap, tells GlobeSt.com. "Major single-tenant construction will likely not occur for at least another year."

The construction decline eventually will help the occupancy numbers, the studies project. The current 6.4% vacancy level, though, is first expected to rise to 6.9% in 2001, then drop to 6.7% in 2002 as much of the new inventory is leased. A total 2.95 million sf is currently available. Net absorption for all of 2000 among properties 50,000 sf or greater was 1.45 million sf.

"Big-box retailers and free-standing drug stores will continue to find choice locations as they compete head-to-head in capturing market share," Grubb & Ellis executive vice president/managing director Jeffrey S. Sweeney tells GlobeSt.com.