December 2006 Architecture Edition Mixed-use begins to dominate shopping center development Even traditional neighborhood shopping center owners such as Edens & Avant, of Columbia, S.C., are taking a second look at mixed-use development. The firm, which owns 170 centers in 18 states, is planning a number of mixed-use projects, and it's not alone -- a survey released this fall indicates that mixed-use is the dominant retail property type in new and redevelopment projects. Read the Full Story at Building Design + Construction  (12/11) Mega-projects could reshape L.A. growth Los Angeles is welcoming three mega-projects as signs that the city has learned from its past development mistakes. The three developments -- the L.A. Live entertainment complex, the Grand Avenue development on Bunker Hill and the just-announced major expansion of Universal City -- represent a combined cost of about $7.5 billion and a mix housing, retail and office space in village configurations near mass transit. Read the Full Story in the LA Times  (12/13) Developer completes acquisition of New Jersey landfill for mixed-use project The Walters Group of Barnegat, N.J., has completed its acquisition of a former landfill, where it plans to build a 650,000-square-foot retail complex with 565 age-restricted residential units, 110 affordable housing units and 25,000 square feet of office space. The deal comes after three years of negotiations with Stafford Township officials, the state Pinelands Commission and various environmental groups. Read the Full Story at Globe St.  (12/12) Roads votes may be linked If the Legislature approves, a highway and transit plan for Sound Transit and Snohomish County will be one question on the 2007 ballot. Read the Full Story in the Herald  (12/12) Quote of the Month "To play it safe is not to play. " -Robert Altman (film director, producer and screenwriter)