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Sault construction buoyed by institutional activity (7/02)

Building repairs and alterations, and institutional construction, have fuelled Sault Ste. Marie’s construction activity over the first half of this year. A recent construction summary reveals $22.

Building repairs and alterations, and institutional construction, have fuelled Sault Ste. Marie’s construction activity over the first half of this year.

A recent construction summary reveals $22.380 million in building permits were issued from January through to June, a difference of $1.239 million from the first six months of 2001. The total amount for the six-month period for alteration and repair values is about $14.133 million, compared with last year's values at $8.247 million.

Residential construction value is down approximately $790,000, while institutional activity is appearing to buoy the sector, accounting for approximately 50 per cent of all community construction value.

The industrial sector has had the least activity, showing a $5.229-million decline from last year. Commercial activity is presently at $2.740 million - a drop of $156,000 from the previous year.

Year-to-date values show no new permits have been issued in the industrial sector, while last year's value of permits was $2 million in industrial activity.

Sudbury housing starts are up by 47.3 per cent this year, while North Bay is 34.6 per cent ahead of last year’s six-month pace. Housing starts for the Sault, including multiple-unit dwellings, have increased 18.5 per cent.