The number of building permits issued by the City of Red Deer has soared 57 per cent at the halfway point of the year.
To the end of June, 603 permits have been issued, compared with 384 a year ago. However, the value of the permits still trails last year — $69.4 million this year compared with $97 million in 2020.
June was a strong month, with 167 permits worth $27.5 million handed out. In June 2020, 108 permits valued at $7.6 million were issued.
The strongest sector this year has been residential. There have been 368 permits worth $18.5 million issued through six months, compared with 247 worth $9.7 million in 2020.
Weakest sector so far this year has been industrial. Thirteen permits worth $830,820 have been issued, well behind the 17 permits for projects worth $20.5 million in 2020.
The value of commercial work requiring permits remains almost identical to 2020 — $38.5 million in 2021, compared with $38.3 million a year ago. More permits have been issued this year though — 184 against 101 in 2020.
In public service construction the number of permits issued is double this year — 38, compared with 19 in 2020. The value of the work is much lower — $11.5 million this year and $28.3 million last year.
Some significant construction projects are underway or likely soon will be. A $3.9 million permit was issued for the new Peavey Mart at 2810 Gaetz Avenue. A 41,400-square-foot building with a storage area of nearly 38,000 square feet is planned.
A two-bay automated car wash valued at $2.75 million is also planned at 60 Calder Street in Clearview Market Square and a new convenience store and gas bar valued at $1.56 million is planned for 7414 Gaetz Avenue.
A proposed 10-unit residential building at 4506 47A Ave. is valued at $1.9 million and $2 million worth of tenant improvements is planned for a building at 4311 54th Ave.