SAN FRANCISCO-It's hoped that the local company's analytical tools, research, industry news and educational resources will enable MortgageRamp to reduce the time between loan origination, closing and securitization without sacrificing diligence or discipline.

SAN JOSE-The Boston-based REIT paid $25 million for the 3.7-acre Cristina Hall site here and plans to erect three 16- to 17-story office towers totaling 840,000 sf that will be called Plaza@Almaden.

SAN FRANCISCO-The San Francisco-based REIT with 946 buildings in 25 markets and the manager of $12.4 billion in pension fund real estate holdings, align themselves with the Los Angeles-based on-line real estate services company.

EAST PALO ALTO, CA-East Palo Alto City officials are calling for interested developers to submit proposals that would revamp the blighted Whiskey Gulch area and complement an already existing $260 million project that includes office space and a hotel.

SAN FRANCISCO-The Center for Real Estate Enterprise Management will offer a new course next month: Retail Strategies for the New Economy. Discussed will be changes in the retailing industry, business fundamentals crucial to survival and various problems related to the real estate industry.

SAN FRANCISCO-AMB Properties promotes five of its current workers to various vice president positions and adds to its roster Nancy Hemmenway, formerly with Northpoint Communications.

SUNNYVALE, CA-Construction is underway on three office buildings and a 380,000sf retail complex, in addition to plans that will see a mall expanded and two new apartment communities built.

NEWARK, CA-Danville-based Trumark Commercial will purchase 23.5 acres in the 90-acre Stevenson Point Tech Park here for development of a six-building office/R&D project. Current park tenants include Nortel Networks and Vina Technologies.