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Colonial Properties Trust Steps Forward to Acquire Electric Vehicles

2 December 1999

Colonial Properties Trust Steps Forward to Acquire Electric Vehicles; Electric Vehicles Cruise Brookwood Village

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 1 -- Colonial Properties Trust is the
first non-mandated company in Alabama to acquire electric fleet vehicles.
After completing a successful Alabama Power pilot program, the Company leased
two Ford Ranger electric trucks to use at Brookwood Village in Birmingham,
Ala.  Colonial Properties is also using loaned electric vehicles at Bel Air
Mall in Mobile, Ala. and Colonial Center at Mansell Overlook in Atlanta, Ga.
    "We are pleased by the performance of the electric vehicles being used by
our maintenance and security staff at these Alabama malls," said Bill Roden,
Assistant Manager of Brookwood Village in Birmingham.  "These vehicles require
very little maintenance and offer a much cleaner and quieter alternative to
gasoline vehicles."
    John Moss, Senior Vice President - Retail Management for Colonial
Properties, says the Company is always interested in pursuing ideas that will
help reduce emissions in cities where it does business.  He anticipates many
potential uses for electric vehicles in the real estate industry.  For
example, the Company is developing mixed-use sites where retail, office and
multifamily properties are clustered in one location.  Moss says these
mixed-use developments could present unique opportunities for Colonial
Properties to offer innovative customer transportation services that help
people reduce their dependence on personal vehicles.
    "Colonial Properties Trust has taken a leadership role in the use of
electric vehicles and their interest has encouraged others to follow suit,"
says Bob Hawkins, Manager of Electric Transportation for Alabama Power
Company.  "When a company as large as Colonial Properties looks at a new
concept and considers it a good business proposition, other companies pay
attention."  EVs are zero emission vehicles.  According to Hawkins, even when
you include emissions from electric generation plants, EVs are much cleaner
than gasoline vehicles.
    Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., Colonial Properties Trust is a
diversified Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that, through its
subsidiaries, owns a portfolio of 111 multifamily, office and retail
properties where you live, work and shop in Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Colonial Properties Trust performs development, acquisition, management,
leasing and brokerage services for its portfolio and properties owned by third
parties.  Colonial Properties Trust is one of the largest diversified REITs in
the United States with a total market capitalization of $2.1 billion.  The
company operates more than 16,106 apartment units, 3.0 million square feet of
office space and 13.8 million square feet of retail shopping space.
Additional information on Colonial Properties Trust is available on the
Internet at http://www.colonialprop.com .