Sept. 1, 2020

An uptick in residential construction wasn’t enough to keep overall building activity in Sioux Falls from lagging behind last year.

The value of permits issued in the city through August is down 16 percent year over year, totaling $410.2 million, compared with $488.4 million for the same time last year and $576.2 million two years ago.

Residential is the bright spot, though, totaling $156.5 million, compared with $143.5 million last year, and totaling 446 new single-family homes, or a dozen more than last year.

Residential additions and remodeling projects are on par with last year, totaling $43.7 million, compared with $44.4 million through the first eight months of last year.

New commercial construction at $135.2 million is behind last year’s $179.3 million, and commercial additions and remodeling projects are showing the biggest drop at $74.9 million, compared with $121.3 million.

Multifamily construction, which is considered commercial, is ahead of last year at 578 units compared with 418.

The largest projects that received permits in August were an addition to the city’s water purification plant at $2 million and an addition to Bethany Lutheran Home, 1901 S. Holly Ave., which was also $2 million. Avera McKennan has a permit to remodel the third floor of its Plaza 2 building for $1.2 million, and a permit came in for a new retail center at 3601 W. Avera Drive near 69th Street and Louise Avenue for $1.1 million.

Railyard Flats also was issued an additional $11.6 million for its downtown mixed-use project, which received its original permit in May.