Long Beach, Calif. - Launching an expansion program outside its Southern California base, Urban Pacific Builders announced it has closed escrow and will begin development on a 93-unit waterfront loft project at a former cannery site on the banks of the Columbia River in Astoria, Ore.

In addition to being UPB's first project outside California, will also be the first project of its kind in Oregon's North Coast area. The company expects to fund a bank loan on the project over the next several weeks and begin construction later this summer. Total development cost of the project is estimated at $17.6 million, with equity being provided by high net-worth investors.

A local trolley line will serve the community. In addition to the lofts, which will be offered for sale, the project will feature commercial space on the ground floor, a community room, fitness center and business center.

Thomas Johnson Architects, LLC of Portland designed the project, with Portland-based Yorke and Curtis serving as general contractors. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in April 2006.

UPB specializes in higher density, mixed-use housing developments that also include retail and/or office components, in urban areas close to employment centers and transit corridors. The company builds new construction and, where opportunities exist, it also converts vintage commercial buildings into live/work loft spaces that are increasingly popular among urban dwellers.

Headquartered in Long Beach, UPB was founded in 1999.

Pape opens California shop

Eugene -- Papé Machinery, Inc., has acquired the assets of Gregory

Equipment, a complete machine shop and heavy equipment repair facility in Redding, Calif.

"We're committed to serving customers in the Redding market, and this acquisition allows us to expand our presence there," said Rodger Spears, president of Papé Machinery, Inc. Papé Machinery has seven other locations in California, and thirteen other locations throughout the west.

Sunbelt Sells Scaffolding Arm

Charlotte, NC - Sunbelt Rentals announced that it has sold its scaffolding specialty business in Oregon, Washington, California and Texas to Safway Services, Inc. The sale allows Sunbelt to continue to focus on its core General Tool, Construction Equipment and specialty businesses in these markets.

Sunbelt Rentals, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashtead Group plc, is the fourth largest equipment rental company in the United States as listed by the Rental Equipment Register. Sunbelt provides equipment rental solutions for the industrial, construction, and municipal markets.

Parr Lumber Frames Home

Hillsboro - Parr Lumber Company, in association with Community Action Team, created their own extreme challenge. Parr Lumber put together a team to frame a home in two days on September 10th and 11th. Part of the Community Action Team home development program, the house is for a military veteran who was permanently disabled while on duty in Iraq.

The home is part of a Community Action Team (CAT) project aimed at helping lower income families realize the dream of owning their own home. The family, contributing 1,000 hours or more of the necessary manpower to complete the home, provides approximately 65 percent of the construction labor.