EDGEWOOD, MD-Oldcastle Building Systems starts construction on a new 110,000-sf concrete manufacturing plant, which will occupy a 100-acre plot on Trimble Road. The $13 million building will replace company facilities in Curtis Bay and Odenton, MD soon after its scheduled completion next spring.

RICHMOND, VA-United Dominion Realty Trust announces a joint venture with Aegon USA Realty Advisors Inc. through which the two will invest as much as $210 million in developing apartment communities across the US.

ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD-Developer Corporate Office Properties Trust breaks ground on a 120,000-sf, $18.9 million structure in the 176-acre National Business Park. The office building--the first to get underway in Anne Arundel County this year--will be COPT's 11th property in the business park.

BALTIMORE, MD-Construction of the National Aquarium of Baltimore's $61.8-million expansion begins with an official groundbreaking ceremony at the 21-year-old Inner Harbor facility. The 12-story, 65,000-sf glass addition is expected to be open to the public in the spring of 2005.

RICHMOND, VA-Construction of noodle manufacturer Maruchan Virginia Inc.'s new $31 million plant nears completion, and readies for activity later this month. The 100,000-sf production and warehouse addition will occupy a 30-acre parcel.

RICHMOND, VA-United Dominion Realty Trust doles out $64.2 million for three apartment communities in Maryland and Southern California. The deal, which includes the company's assumption of $12.5 million on the Maryland property, adds 1,352 residential units to the multifamily REIT's portfolio.

COLLINSVILLE, VA-Knauss Snack Food Company decides to build a 100,000-sf processing plant at Henry County's 370-acre Patriot Centre at Beaver Creek industrial park. The $5.7 million development will occupy a 15-acre plot, and is being assisted by state and county funding.

CLARKSBURG, MD-American Health Assistance Foundation relocates its headquarters from Rockville with the completion of its new 33,000-sf home in Montgomery County's Gateway 270 Office Park. Developer Manekin LLC spent $3.5 million to construct the building, and AHAF will lease the property from Manekin.