Building statistics don’t make very interesting bedtime reading, nor are they the stuff of dinner table conversation.
But they offer an invaluable tool to gauge the economic health of a community.
Figures released this week show that the number of building permits issued for single family homes were significantly lower in January, February and March, compared to the corresponding months in 2011.
In March alone, 36 building permits for 50 single family dwelling units (which include secondary suites) were issued, half the number of a year ago.
There is evidence of commercial and industrial activity.
Permits for significant projects were issued in March, included one for a $4.3 million 5,589 square metre underground parkade at 20047 86 Ave., another for a $3 m parkade for Marcon Homes’ condo building at 5655 210A St., $1.8 million for the IGA supermarket in Fort Langley, and a $1.1 million tilt-up warehouse in Gloucester Estates.
In March, the Township issued 240 building permits for buildings having total construction value of slightly more than $33 million. Permits for the first three months were for buildings valued at $61.1 million, and graphs show the value of these permits is down for January, February and March.