WASHINGTON, DC-Grants totaling $120 million from HUD are made available to public housing authorities via the 2004 Hope VI Revitalization program. The funds are to be used to rehabilitate or replace dilapidated public housing facilities.

GERMANTOWN, MD-Internet weather alert website WeatherBug prepares to take on new digs at Milestone Business Park, as the company's parent organization signs a lease for 54,200 sf at the 36.5-acre property. The lease agreement is for a five-year term.

UPPER MARLBORO, MD-A fire erupts at an historic Prince George's County courthouse and eradicates a $25 million renovation endeavor that was due to reach completion in two months. The blaze leaves $40 million in damages in its wake. County officials say they will rebuild.

BALTIMORE-The new owners of the 530,300-sf collection of historic buildings are planning a massive renovation of the properties that will cost "several million dollars." They also say that Washington, DC-enthralled investors are about to take a closer look at the city's office market.

WASHINGTON, DC-The discount retailer will build a 180,000-sf store in the Columbia Heights section of the city, with a planned opening date in 2007. About $42 million in public funds is reserved for the project.

WASHINGTON, DC-A leasing team is now in place for Capitol City Plaza, the 340,000-sf office structure that is being erected by Carter Cafritz Development. Spaulding & Slye Colliers will handle leasing activity for the class A facility, which is scheduled to open in 2007.

ASHBURN, VA-Construction of Four Seasons at Ashburn Village, a new 80-unit luxury condominium property tailored to the senior set, gets under way in Ashburn. Homebuilder K. Hovnanian celebrates the ground breaking with a ceremony attended by future residents and members of the local homeowners association.

WASHINGTON, DC-In a recent ruling, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development sets the bar higher for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's affordable housing goals, putting forth a schedule of increasing targets for the government-sponsored enterprise's purchase of mortgages for low- and moderate-income housing.