The value of residential building permits approved by the City of Red Deer last month was more than double the figure for June 2013. But the total value of permits issued for all construction categories was still well behind last year’s tally.
The city reported on Tuesday that $16.3 million worth of construction was approved in June, including $11.5 million in residential work. Industrial projects added another $4.1 million and commercial work $700,000.
That compares with the $30.7 million worth of permits issued for the same month in 2013. Residential permits accounted for only $5.9 million of that figure, with approvals in the public category making up the lion’s share at $18.1 million — due largely to the issuance of permits for the Francophone school at 4810 34 St. and the K-5 Catholic school at 60 Clearview Dr. Commercial permits last June made up $4.7 million of the total, and industrial permits accounted for $2 million. The city pointed out in a release that the number of building permits issued last month increased to 210 from 130 a year earlier. It added that the jump in residential values this June reflected continued growth in new residential subivisions, and an 18-unit townhouse development. Among the other big projects approved last month was a $2.9-million building by Jade Bay Construction in Queens Business Park. During the first six months of 2014, the city issued building permits for $78.5 million in work, down from $132.1 million to the same point last year. However, the value of residential development was higher this year, at $57.7 million as compared with $53.6 million in 2013.