PETALUMA, CA-A first-quarter report from Orion Partners Ltd. finds the Marin County market has softened but is still at the historic average vacancy rate of about 10%. In nearby Sonoma County, office vacancy rates increased to an overall rate of 7.1% in the first quarter.

SAN FRANCISCO-With three bidders interested in the 1.8-million-sf trophy property at 555 California, joint owners Shorenstein Co. and Bank of America have reportedly decided not to sell for the time being.

SAN FRANCISCO-Ameriquest Mortgage Corp., one of the nation's largest specialty lenders, says it will employ Eastern Software Corp.'s loan origination system throughout its national branch network.

SAN FRANCISCO-Expansions by some of the major biotech companies are not the antidote to the markets current ills, but the growth does bode well for the future of the industry, according to some experts.

BERKELEY, CA-A two-building downtown complex at the corner of Addison Street and Shattuck Avenue is fillin gup with arts organizations. About 13,500 sf of ground-floor retail space remains available at $2.25/sf.

SAN FRANCISCO-According to a report from Grubb & Ellis, the San Francisco office leasing market is showing signs of stabilization in the central business district, but the area south of Market Street has vacancy rates of more than 20%.

PETALUMA, CA-There are a number of good tenant prospects for the 42,410-sf Steelhead Center due to be delivered to the local market in Spring 2002, according to Brian Eisberg of Orion Partners Ltd., the company marketing the project.

SAN FRANCISCO-Travelocity.com is taking more than 42,000 sf at 303 Second Street in the South Financial District being subleased by SmartAge.com, Meanwhile, in the North Financial District, Washburn, Brisco & McCarthy signed on for 25,000 sf at 111 Sutter Street.