PHOENIX-After two years at the helm, Tom Higgins will exit by Aug. 13, setting off a nationwide search to get a replacement ASAP. Higgins counts the ongoing installation of high-speed Internet access and a lucrative Nascar sponsorship among his successes.

PHOENIX-AT Systems Inc. of Pasadena, CA makes the deal with Lincoln Property for a 25,176-sf build-to-suit, set to rise alongside a 32,496-sf spec building. With the deal in hand, ground will break in January 2005 on Lincoln Sky Harbor's first phase.

PHOENIX-Aliposa Properties of Tigunga, CA, spends nearly $3.2 million for a 28,017-sf research and development facility in the northwest submarket. The buyer was one of four vying for the assumable-debt deal.

MESA, AZ-A Piedmont, CA investment group takes the Fry's Marketplace Shops with a $1.9-million loan assumption with another four years left on the term after a nine-month marketing by two brokerage houses.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ-Bob Lundstedt, Jerry Hillery and Darren Tappen exit Cushman & Wakefield of Arizona as they eye the promise from Deer Valley's potential and users looking for lower property costs than what can be had at Scottsdale Airpark.

PHOENIX-An Iowa investment group, planning a long-term hold, buys a 17,600-sf warehouse with a 20% vacancy. The Black Canyon property is leased to a mix of startups and small service-oriented companies.

PHOENIX-After a year of working the system, MLP Investments gets its first project site in the metro, spending $2.8 million for the northwest submarket land. The 224-unit Adobe Ridge Apartments should be ready to lease by December 2005.

TUCSON-Bourn Partners uses equity from CalPERS and a Sun Life loan to buy 5151 E. Broadway Blvd., 247,075 sf of class A space with upside in a 23% vacancy. Up against eight others jockeying for the deed, the new owner's local presence helps sway the call.