RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION values to the end of November are the highest since 2008, according to building stats supplied to city council last week.
More than $3.5 million worth of permits for single family residential construction were issued by the end of November.
That’s higher than the $2.99 million for the same time period last year but less than the $6.35 million in permits issued in 2008 which itself was the highest amount in the past decade.
“Our housing starts have been moderately good for the year,” reported senior building inspector Bruce Miller to council.
“Our total number of units including single family, multi-family and mobile homes is 30.”
“The placement of 12 new mobile homes is above normal for that category. Good to see a large percentage of these being placed in the newly rezoned [mobile home] park on Kalum, replacing the older units there,” Miller continued.
A number of the single family residences went up in the new subdivision section across from Ecole Mountainview Elementary on the bench.
It’s also been a good year for new and renovated commercial space with a combined $7.7 million being spent in this fashion.
All told, $14.3 million in construction permits were taken out by the end of November.
That’s more than 2001, 2010 and 2009 but less than 2008’s number of $24.33 million which featured $6 million in housing and $5.3 million in institutional construction and $4.3 million in new commercial construction.
There’s also been a very modest uptick in the number of business licences.
The number stood at 1,059 in January and has now increased to 1,078 to the end of November.
There have been 79 closures during the same period but 84 openings and seven re-openings.