LEOMINSTER, MA-Holiday Housewares, Inc, a manufacturer of plastic containers, is close to a deal to acquire the former Tucker Housewares building here. The 566,000-sf facility is this city's largest factory and has been sitting empty for over a year.

WORCESTER, MA-Local officials here and in other urban areas of the state are concerned that a new environmental justice policy being developed by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs could impact development in their cities.

BOSTON-Two well-known commercial real estate firms join forces as Lexington-based Stevens Group merges with locally based GVA Thompson Doyle Hennessey & Everest.

BOSTON-Local developer Frank McCourt is going to bid on the Boston Red Sox. The new controlling owner of the team will most likely decide where its new ballpark will be and McCourt has been touting his waterfront property here in South Boston as the perfect location.

BOSTON-Noddle Development LP begins the regulatory approval process to develop Clippership Wharf, a 13-acre parcel here in East Boston. The company, a partnership of Winn Development Corp. and the Related Cos., wants to develop a $190-million condominium complex here.

BOSTON-The local commercial real estate market speculates on the future of International Place, the huge office complex located here in the Financial District. A local broker tells GlobeSt.com that one of its backers may be looking to finance out of the deal.

LOWELL, MA-Arbor Commercial Mortgage LLC provides a $1.1-million loan to finance the acquisition of Aiken Street Apartments, a 25-unit complex here. This is the eighth property the company has financed in Massachusetts.

FALL RIVER, MA-After plans for a casino in this southeastern Massachusetts town fell through, Fall River decided to transform the proposed casino site into a commerce park. Three of the 11 parcels on the 160-acre site are currently being developed.