Feb. 1, 2019

Is it another record year in the making? The city’s building permits in January suggest it could be.

Permits totaled $33.1 million to start the year, up from $29 million last year and more than double the $15.7 million issued to start 2017.

The biggest increase came in commercial additions and remodeling projects at $11.7 million — well ahead of last year’s $6.9 million for the same time period. New commercial construction was down some at $11.6 million, compared with $14.1 million.

New residential construction is ahead of last year, totaling $6.5 million, compared with $4.9 million, and reflecting 17 new single-family homes. That’s one more than last year. The bigger increase is in town homes, with permits issued for 16 compared with six one year ago.

Multifamily permits included 45 units, compared with 23 units for the same time last year.

The biggest new projects for the month were the Williquors liquor store at 69th Street and Louise Avenue at $5.4 million and part of the Avera Human Performance Center on Louise south of 69th at $3.5 million.