Regional building permits flat in 2018, Fort Smith permit values up 10.4%

Building activity in the Fort Smith region ended 2018 slightly above 2017 totals. Fort Smith’s significant increase in numbers over 2017 helped bring up the yearend numbers that dropped dramatically for Greenwood and slightly for Van Buren.

For the year, Fort Smith was up from the previous year with $187.678 million against $169.958 million in 2017 — an increase of 10.43%. This increase brought the year in above 2016’s total and just 2% down from 2015, which was the best performing year in the past seven.

New commercial construction permits accounted for $67.14 million with the largest being $19 million for the U.S. Marshals Museum on Riverfront Drive. New residential construction came in at $31.89 million, while new construction on duplexes added up to $14.455 million for the year and new construction of multifamily dwelling at 1711 Jackson St. by Norris Services and Construction accounted for $1.65 million.

Performing less than the previous year were the cities of Greenwood and Van Buren. Greenwood reported $6.156 million in valuations for 2018, down 59.6% from the $15.23 million in 2017, ending the year at a seven year low.

Van Buren performed better than Greenwood in 2018, but still came in 10.4% down from 2017. Even so, 2018’s $17.629 million is the second highest in the city’s past seven years.

REGIONAL BUILDING ACTIVITY RECAP

Combined total for the three cities
2018: $211.463 million
2017: $210.844 million
2016: $211.345 million
2015: $218.899 million
2014: $198.983 million
2013: $202.389 million
2012: $154.64 million
2011: $201.079 million
2010: $149 million
2009: $164 million

Fort Smith
2018: $187.678 million
2017: $169.958 million
2016: $185.783 million
2015: $191.631 million
2014: $174.252 million
2013: $185.057 million
2012: $136.248 million

Van Buren

2018: $17.629 million
2017: $19.665 million
2016: $15.327 million
2015: $16.009 million
2014: $7.918 million
2013: $8.283 million
2012: $8.609 million

Greenwood
2018: $6.156 million
2017: $15.23 million
2016: $10.235 million
2015: $11.259 million
2014: $16.813 million
2013: $9.049 million
2012: $9.983 million