"We're well on our way to becoming the advanced battery capital of North America and a global center for clean energy manufacturing," said Gov. Jennifer Granholm in a statement. "Clean energy companies are choosing to do business in Michigan because of our competitive business climate, tremendous workforce and comprehensive economic development programs."

A Renaissance Zone allows a company operating within the zone to operate free of virtually all state and local taxes over the life of the designation. The state program program is administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. This deal was arranged with the owners of the property: Welsh Romulus LLC, BPE Exchange LLC, BPW Exchange LLC and Welsh Romulus Development LLC.

A state spokeswoman tells GlobeSt.com that the company expects to begin manufacturing by the end of the year. The firm already manufactures cells in 300,000 square feet in Livonia, and has 400,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, Korea and China.

"This expansion in Michigan is a critical part of A123's commitment to build world-class lithium ion battery manufacturing in the United States," said David Vieau, president and CEO of the company, in a statement. According to a company SEC filing, the firm believes that lithium ion-powered vehicles will represent almost 70% of all vehicles sold by 2013.

JACKSON, MI-Hendricks & Partners arranged the sale of Alpine Lake, at 665 North AlpineLake Dr. The 268-unit apartment community was sold for $4.6 million. The apartments were constructed in 1988 and are situated on 14.43 acres. There are 34 buildings surrounding a central lake and the property is adjacent to a 500-acre recreational park with a public pool and 18-hole golf course. Each apartment features an individual entrance and contemporary floor plans. The seller was Wells Fargo Bank. The buyer was Alpine Lake LLC, a Michigan limited liability company of Royal Oak, MI. The Buyer obtained new financing at closing from a regional credit union. Kevin P. Dillon and Cary Scott Belovicz negotiated the transaction.

NORTHVILLE, MI- Friedman Real Estate Group Inc. recently negotiated the lease renewal and expansion for 3,290 square feet of office space at Farmington Hills Corporate Center I, 21800 Haggerty Rd. The landlord, FHCC-I Associates LLC, leased the space to Traveling Teams Inc., which was founded to help busy parents and coaches find available hotel rooms at the right price. Glenn N. DesRosiers, VP, represented the landlord in this transaction.SOUTHFIELD, MI-Newmark Knight Frank recently negotiated the lease renewal of 15,040 square feet of office at 4000 Town Center on behalf of the tenant, Collins, Einhorn, Farrell & Ulanoff PC. Steve Morris, executive managing director and principal, negotiated the lease on behalf of the tenant in this transaction.

VERNON HILLS, IL-CB Richard Ellis' Keith Puritz, Brett Kroner, Ryan Bain and Zach Graham represented Focus Products Group in the sublease of 133,000 square feet at 100-130 Lakeview Pkwy. to Hyper Microsystems. The distributor and manufacturer of computer storage devices will take occupancy of the entire building this summer. Hyper's new space is an expansion of its other two locations in Buffalo Grove. The building was built in 1999 and is situated on 6.40 acres in the Continental Executive Park. Eric Fischer with NAI Hiffman represented Hyper in the sublease transaction.

CHICAGO-Berkley Properties LLC has completed its $72.2 million purchase of 180 North LaSalle St. from Prime Group Realty Trust. The building, at the corner of Lake and LaSalle Streets in the heart of Chicago's central business district, includes 770,191 rentable square feet in 38 stories. The building is currently anchored by Chicago-based consulting firm Accenture and advertising holding company Publicis, based in Paris. A complete renovation of the building's lobby and three story façade was completed in 2000 by the renowned Spanish architect, Ricardo Bofill. Berkley plans to enhance this renovation with extensive upgrades to the building, including an elevator modernization and new fitness center, conference center and common corridors. J.F. McKinney & Associates Ltd has been named the exclusive leasing agent and plans an aggressive campaign to fill the current vacancy of approximately 250,000 square feet.

SHERMAN, IL-Cambridge Realty Capital Cos. has closed on a $10 million FHA-Insured HUD LEAN mortgage for Villa Health Care, a 212-bed skilled nursing and assisted living facility here. Cambridge Chairman Jeffrey A. Davis said the fully amortized, 30-year term loan was arranged for the borrower, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, by Cambridge Realty Capital Ltd. of Illinois, the Cambridge business entity responsible for underwriting HUD loans. Davis said the property has 99 skilled nursing and 113 assisted living beds. The interest rate was not disclosed.

ITASCA, IL-Alta Industrial Real Estate Co. has purchased a 41,696-square-foot industrial building at 625 District Dr. in Itasca. Jim Planey and Jeff Janda, both principals with Lee & Associates of Illinois LLC represented building ownership, a private trust, and Jim Estus with Colliers Bennett & Kahnweiler represented the buyer in the transaction.

OAK BROOK, IL–Inland Western Retail Real Estate Trust Inc., based here, has signed definitive agreements to form a joint venture with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, Canada's largest REIT. The initial RioCan investment of approximately $138 million includes eight grocery and necessity-based-anchored shopping centers located in Texas. Under the terms of the agreement, which is subject to customary closing conditions, RioCan will acquire an 80 percent interest in the venture and Inland Western will retain 20 percent interest and will additionally earn property management and asset management, as well as other customary fees on the portfolio. Inland Western and RioCan intend to grow the venture over time through acquisition of additional necessity-based retail properties. The initial properties in Texas are: Suntree Square located in Southlake; Coppell Town Center located in Coppell; Bear Creek Shopping Center and New Forest Crossing in Houston; Great Southwest Crossing in Grand Prairie; Southpark Meadows-Phase I in Austin; Riverpark Shopping Center in Sugarland and Cypress Mill Plaza in Cypress. The portfolio consists of approximately 1.2 million square feet, and has tenant anchors including Wal-Mart, Tom Thumb, HEB, PetSmart, ROSS Dress for Less and Hobby Lobby.

SCHAUMBURG, IL-The Chicago and Dallas offices of HFF have been named to market for sale the Streets of Woodfield, a 711,402-square-foot retail project here. The site is 98% leased on a long-term basis, and anchored by Carson Pirie Scott, Dick's Sporting Goods, Crate & Barrel and Whole Foods Market. The complex also includes a 20-screen AMC Theatre and the US flagship store for LegoLand Discovery Center. The property is at 601 North Martingale Rd., immediately adjacent to Woodfield Mall, a 2.2-million-square-foot center.

CHICAGO-The Missner Group has completed a new facility for Again Auto Parts in Chicago. Located at 1300-1330 N. Kostner Ave., the development will serve as the location for the new auto parts recycling business.

CHICAGO- Reed Construction has finished a 6,500-square-foot build-out at 500 N. Michigan Ave. on behalf of Symmetri Marketing Group. Reed Construction was hired by Zeller Realty Group, property manager of the 24-story Magnificent Mile high-rise to complete the tenant improvements. The tenant is relocating to the building from another Michigan Avenue property. The renovations included new ceiling tiles, millwork with stone surfaces, carpeting and plank flooring throughout the office space as well as new lighting fixtures and air return grills. The space includes private offices and an open workspace area. Jack Hennessy was the senior project manager and Hydzik Schade provided the architectural services.

WAUKEGAN, IL-Paine/Wetzel * ONCOR International arranged a 44,000-square-foot lease transaction for Comcast at 1585 N. Waukegan Rd. Comcast renewed their lease at Amhurst Lake Business Park due to its close proximity to I-94 and its convenient location for employees and customers. The building features 28' clear ceiling height and fenced service parking for more than 100 vans. Whit R. Heitman, principal, and Samuel C. Badger Jr., SVP, represented the landlord, Prudential.

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL-Arbor Commercial Funding LLC arranged the funding of a $17.9 million loan under the Fannie Mae DUS product line for the 252-unit complex known as Longacre Ponds here. The 10-year loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule and carries a note rate of 5.68%. The loan was originated by Patrick McNulty, director in Arbor's Chicago lending office.

TOLEDO, OH-Signature Associates has negotiated the sale of 107,660 square feet on 15.41 acres of industrial space at 6515 Maumee Western Rd. Robert P. Mack with Signature represented the seller, Willis Day Properties Inc.

MINNEAPOLIS-Marcus & Millichap has arranged the sale of Old Chicago, a 5,862-square-foot restaurant here to a local buyer. The sales price of $2 million represents $341 per square foot. Cory Villaume, Sean Doyle and Robert L. Colwell represented both the seller and buyer in this transaction. "This transaction shows that there is still high demand for well located properties in urban infill markets. With all the development that is happening in the Uptown area, there is great potential for future appreciation and rent growth in the area," says Doyle. This single-tenant restaurant was sold with a short lease term and with no options remaining. The property was built in 1974.

MINNEAPOLIS-Wells Fargo Center has received Gold certification under the US Green Building Council's LEED rating system for Existing Buildings. The 1.2-million-square-foot, 57-story office building is in the downtown. Designed by Cesar Pelli & Associates, the property has been managed and leased by Hines since the firm developed it in 1987. NWC Limited Partnership owns the property. Hines undertook numerous sustainability measures, including: installation of low-flow water fixtures, saving four million gallons of water per year; installation of high-efficiency motors and variable frequency drives; installation of lighting occupancy sensors in restrooms; ongoing building waste diversion rate of 69 percent; a green cleaning program; and Hines' Green Office for Tenants program, designed to enhance tenant space. The building is leased to a roster of tenants that includes Wells Fargo, Faegre & Benson LLP and KPMG LLP, among others.

ST. LOUIS-Grubb & Ellis Co.'s National Data Center Practice has been selected by Digital Realty Trust to market for lease 210 N. Tucker Ave., a 201,588-square-foot data center facility. The 18-story building is in the process of being redeveloped by Digital Realty Trust to offer multiple suites with N+1 and 2N UPS and dedicated PDUs scalable from 400 kW to 2400 kW. The facility will also feature dedicated and non-dedicated standby generators, as well as cooling capacities to meet the IT load demands of today's technology. Security amenities include 24/7 onsite personnel, key card and biometric access control and interior and perimeter security cameras.

LOUISVILLE-Centro Properties Group has executed a 6,080-square-foot lease with Mongolian Grill restaurant at Eastgate Shopping Center, located one mile west of exit 27 on the Gene Snyder Freeway (Interstate 265), on Shelbyville Road (Route 60) at the intersection of Old Shelbyville Road/Main Street. Robert Wang with Sunrise Commercial Realty LLC of Prospect, KY represented the tenant. Centro, the owner of the center, was represented by Robin Stanley.