PHOENIX-Two local developers plan to jointly purchase 70 acres to build a retail power center in the fast-growing community of Gilbert.<p>

PHOENIX-The Valley's hot home market cooled somewhat in 2000, as the number of new homes build and sold dropped and prices increased.

PHOENIX-A partnership has closed on its $85-million purchase of a 7,100-acre swath of land in the far northwest Valley, where the partnership plans to build a master-planned community.

PHOENIX-A Phoenix-based gaming operator has placed a $175-million bet that gambling's popularity will increase in Atlantic City. Aztar Corp. plans to expand the Tropicana Casino and Resort there.

PHOENIX-The race to see which Valley community will be the site of a $335-million, taxpayer-supported stadium has officially come down to two candidates. Tempe and the West Valley are still in the running.

PHOENIX-Demand for apartments outstripped development in 2000, pushing the occupancy rate up by 1.7% to 95.5%, and average rents up 3%.

PHOENIX-The Valley's office market remained strong through the end of 2000, with demand so strong it's outpacing a near record of new development.

PHOENIX-A local developer who is donating land in the West Valley for a proposed site for the new $335- million stadium for the Arizona Cardinals will begin site preparation this spring on a 1,000-acre business park adjacent to the stadium site.