WASHINGTON, DC-In testimony before Congress, housing mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac say they fully back the establishment of a more authoritative federal regulatory body to oversee the operations of the government-sponsored enterprises--but with certain limitations.

COLUMBIA, MD-Ownership of the Havertys/Offenbacher Building, a 63,500-sf retail site developed in 1982, changes hands in a $12 million deal. The freestanding structure is part of the 300,000-sf Dobbin Center shopping center.

ROCKVILLE, MD-Shady Grove Adventist Hospital hosts a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of work on a $99-million expansion of the healthcare facility. The project will result in the addition of 200,000 sf of new space to accommodate additional patient beds and hospital departments.

WASHINGTON, DC-Development of Danbury Station, a 119-unit townhouse community, gets under way with a ground breaking ceremony. The $23 million development will bring market-rate multifamily housing to a site that had been home to a series of dilapidated apartment buildings.

FORESTVILLE, MD-A financing package valued at $39 million closes for Penn Mar Shopping Center, a 380,000-sf retail destination with three anchors. The 10-year loan allows the borrower to take advantage of low interest rates and to recapitalize the property.

WASHINGTON, DC-Leading international law firm DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP makes a move to expand its real estate capital markets business with the addition of a top REIT securities practice from the firm of Alston & Bird LLP.

WASHINGTON, DC-Leading international law firm DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP makes a move to expand its real estate capital markets business with the addition of a top REIT securities practice from the firm of Alston & Bird LLP.

WASHINGTON, DC-The condo craze continues as ground breaks on a multifamily project, Providence Square. With the first residences of the 12-unit building scheduled for delivery in 2005, developer Drummond Development expects to spend $4.4 million to complete the Capitol Hill area property.