STAMFORD, CT-While Fairfield County's office market has benefited from continued business expansion over the past several years, mergers and consolidations and high rents will bring some changes this year, according to Grubb & Ellis.

WASHINGTONVILLE, NY-Stone Hill Apartments, a $12 million, 104-unit senior housing community that opened in October, has achieved 95% occupancy, according to developer Wilder-Balder Partners Inc. of Elmsford.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY-The IKEA furniture chain announced at a press conference at New Rochelle City Hall yesterday, Jan. 31, that it will no longer pursue a controversial plan to build a 300,000 sf store here.

STAMFORD, CT-Valassis Communications Inc. of Livonia MI has signed a lease for 17,600 sf of space at 6 Armstrong Park here in a deal that allows the firm to consolidate two marketing companies it recently took over.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY-The Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation reported that the agency has elected its officers for 2001, including its chairman, local attorney Al Roberts. The election announcement came at its annual meeting.

FAIRFIELD, CT-Colonial Realty recently reported that it has negotiated five lease deals totaling 302,000 sf, including significant transactions of 70,000 sf or more in Stratford, Naugatuck and Orange.

SCARSDALE, NY-The new ownership of 531 Central Park Ave. has retained Goldshmidt & Associates as its leasing agent, the Scarsdale-based brokerage reported.

NEW HAVEN, CT-Metropolitan Funding Corp. reports that it has closed a $9-million refinancing transaction for 59 Elm St., a 107,000 sf office building here.