MINNEAPOLIS-Now at 1.8%, vacancy rates are expected to soar past 8% for some properties, especially high-end multifamily rental buildings, while rents fall from their current level of $816 per month on average.

INDEPENDENCE, MO-The firm, which provides a data exchange system for the commercial real estate industry, plans to expand into eight new markets, including Minneapolis. Lenexa, KS-based W. P. Love Partners has raised $7 million in equity capital in two years.

ST. PAUL, MN-Housing Fund, St. Paul Riverfront Corp. and Riverview Economic Development are among the beneficiaries of grants to housing and economic development agencies.

MINNEAPOLIS-The 278-unit Melrose Apartments of Minneapolis at Huron Boulevard and Delaware Street SE near the University of Minnesota is the latest example of the Integroup Realty Trust's "shared living" concept.

MINNEAPOLIS-The "Above the Falls" plan aims to add 2,500 housing units and clean up the riverfront. The area offers the greatest development potential in the city.

MINNEAPOLIS-Welsh Cos. vice president John Johannson has won the Minnesota Shopping Center Association's retail broker of the year award two out of last three years. Competition comes from Welsh Cos. associate Terese Reiling.

ST. PAUL, MN-The Saint Paul Foundation approves a $1-million grant while the F.R. Bigelow Foundation comes through with another $2 million for Minnesota Public Radio's 105,000-sf expansion project.

HOYT, MN-The new coal gasification and wind turbine plant could generate 3,000 megawatts and cost $84 million. It also could attract $3 billion in investment to the Iron Range area.