By Bill Robinson
Senior News Writer
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.
