Building activity slows in Van Buren, Fort Smith (Updated with Greenwood info)

Fort Smith building activity slowed more than 32% in January compared to December and more than 45% compared to January 2008, according to building permits issued by the city.

The city issued 293 permits in January for construction valued at $7.37 million, compared to 308 permits valued at $10.76 million in December. The city collected $44,480 in fees on the January permits and $57,700 in fees on the December permits.

One potential bright spot for Fort Smith is the 19 new residential permits valued at $1.92 million in issued in January, up from the 12 permits valued at $1.26 million in December.

Reduced residential and commercial repair resulting from Spring and Summer 2008 storms could account for some of the decline in January. For example, the city issued 36 commercial repair permits valued at $1.71 million in January, down from the 45 repair permits valued at $3.13 million in December.

Of the 9,610 Fort Smith building permits issued in 2008, 8,674 were for repair permits for homes (7,641), apartments (127), duplexes (202) and commercial structures (704). Not all the permits were related to damage from the storms, but the number of repair permits issued in 2008 was 488.4% greater than the number issued in 2007.

VAN BUREN
Van Buren building activity began 2009 as it finished 2008: Slow.

The city issued 54 permits with a value of $193,000 (The city does not list values for repair work or minor remodel work.). Only one new home permit was issued, with Clements Homes obtaining a permit for a $130,000 project.

Van Buren issued 71 building permits in 2008 for new commercial and new residential construction valued at $20.91 million, down more than 35% in value compared to 2007. However, Van Buren issued 4,173 permits for roof and siding repairs.

GREENWOOD
The city of Greenwood had an “active January” with 8 permits issued with a value of $1.17 million, according to Don Oliver with the city’s planning department.

The bulk of the value came from two duplexes, valued at $337,230 each, to be built at 1320 Clinic Lane by Bransen Harris Properties.

Four new home permits with a total value of $402,490 were also issued in January.

Oliver said February is shaping up to be just as busy, with “at least” four projects on his desk already.