New home permits up in 2010

Local News

August 29, 2010

By Bill Robinson Senior News Writer The Richmond Register Mon Aug 30, 2010, 11:13 AM EDT

RICHMOND — The number of construction permits issued for new homes constructed within the city of Richmond in the first eight months of 2010, is up slightly over the previous year.

Since Jan. 1, the city has issued permits for construction of 68 new homes, 22 renovations or additions, 17 decks and two swimming pools. Total value of those projects comes to more than $6.6 million.

Those figures compare to 53 new homes, 22 renovations or additions, four decks and one multi-family dwelling in the first eight months of 2009.

Total value of that construction was more than $5.8 million.

The number value of commercial construction permits issued so far this year also is up.

Twenty-five new projects total nearly $7 million. Another 25 previously permitted projects continue.

In 2009, 14 new commercial projects, valued at more than $5.3 million were permitted.

Much of the commercial construction still centers around Richmond Centre, as unfinished store-fronts are completed and buildings are erected on outlining parcels. Eight projects are under way there.

While construction activity may not rival that prior to 2007, “Construction has not stopped,” Joe Lillis, Richmond’s codes enforcement director told the city commission this past Tuesday. “We’ve got at least 60 projects still under way.”

Reviewing the plans and inspecting large construction projects is time

consuming, Lillis said, but it also generates fees for the city.

“Construction permit and inspection fees have generated $39,000” just since July 31, he said.

In Berea, 42 permits for new single-family homes and one multi-family dwelling have been issued since Jan. 1, with another 38 permits issued for renovations or additions, according to Katie Tate of the Berea codes office.

The value of residential construction so far this year in Berea is estimated at more than $3.7 million, she said.

No commercial permits have been issued in Berea this year, but construction of a new $11 million middle school has been authorized.

In all of 2009, Berea issued permits for construction of 36 new homes, 33 renovations or additions, six multi-family dwellings and 15 commercial or institutional projects. Total value of all 2009 projects was nearly $9 million.

Outside the two cities, construction was down significantly in the first six months of 2010, compared to the previous year.

From Jan. 1 to July 31 of this year, the value of permitted construction totaled nearly $6 million, down from $11.3 million in 2009, Duane Curry, county codes administrator told the fiscal court earlier this month. Of total construction in 2009, more than $7.6 million was for residential structures. For the first half of 2010, the number fell to just over $4.7 million.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.

Text Only

Local News

Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.

About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.

February 6, 2012
Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.

Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.

February 6, 2012
Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)

A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.

February 6, 2012
Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.”

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org.

February 6, 2012 2 Photos
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus.

February 6, 2012
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200.

February 6, 2012
Tea party setting sights on state legislature
Nearly a dozen tea party candidates, including one of Kentucky's most recognizable fiscal conservatives, have set their sights on state legislative seats up for election this year.
Louisville businessman Phil Moffett, who finished second in the GOP's three-way gubernatorial primary last year, delivered candidacy papers last week to run for a House seat, hoping to bolster the tea party's foothold in the state Capitol.
Such a move has been slower in coming to Kentucky than other states.

February 6, 2012
Trial date set in murder case
The attorney for a Berea man accused of murder has had his client evaluated by an “expert” witness, he said Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
A report of the evaluation of Mitchell Ray Turner, 34, has been shared with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, attorney Brian Barker said during a pretrial conference in the case.
“The commonwealth would like more information before they decide if they want to do their own evaluation,” Barker told Judge Jean Chenault Logue.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
State financial actions putting strain on MEPCO
State government’s efforts to cut its spending and shift more of its financial burden to local governments, school boards and public agencies is beginning to take its toll on MEPCO, the home health organization run by the Madison County Board of Health.
Last week, MEPCO, which serves residents of Madison, Estill and Powell counties, reported a $455,500 deficit at the midpoint of its fiscal year.
The deficit was recorded even after MEPCO has cut expenses by about $383,000.

February 6, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

New home permits up in 2010

Have you ever attended a meeting of a local government agency or taxing district?

Site Map