Levin reports increased leasing activity

North Plainfield, N.J. Levin Management Corp. reported Tuesday that leasing activities for the first seven months of 2009 have totaled 262,000 sq. ft. and involved 48 transactions at 24 properties in four states.

New leases, extensions, renewals and exercised options comprised the activity.

“Although many news reports have focused on troubled retailers, the industry overall is not dormant -- good things are happening,” said Matthew Harding, president and COO, Levin. “Of course, the reality remains that the economy is having a significant impact on our industry. But we are encouraged by what we have seen through the first half of this year compared with a year ago.”

In New Jersey, Levin closed leases at 17 properties; in Pennsylvania, Levin orchestrated transactions at three properties; in New York, three shopping centers; and in North Carolina, four transactions included a 32,071 -sq. -ft. expansion for Big Lots at Hickory Plaza in Hickory, N.C.