By Rebecca Palsha Channel 2 News KTUU

12:21 p.m. AKST, January 12, 2013
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—

Have you ever seen a construction site around town and wondered what was being built?

On Friday, the “Building Owners and Managers Association of Anchorage” gave its forecast for construction and real estate in the city this year at a luncheon.

T he group says commercial rent prices are stable, and mentioned that a few big names stores might be interested in moving here.

Neil Fried, a State Economist, told the group that Alaska can expect a 1.1 percent growth in jobs, which was reported in the state's January economic trends.

It comes from the industries you'd expect, healthcare, hospitality, oil and retail, which all need buildings and offices to rent.

Several national stores have eyed business space in south Anchorage, including the outdoor and hunting store Cabela’s and a second Pita Pit.

Customers in Mountain View can expect a Bass Pro Shops outpost in Glenn Square in time for this year’s fishing season.

“We have Whole Foods and Hard Rock Café - these 2 organizations have been looking at Anchorage practically since statehood,” Brandon Walker, Bond Stephens & Johnson Commercial Real Estate Services, said. “I wish they would quit toying with my emotions and open up a store already.”

“I think we can expect national appetite for Anchorage to continue but at a slower pace until we see some new projects maybe in different neighborhoods.”