If you think you’ve been hearing hammers and saws more often when out and about around Cranbrook, you’re not hallucinating.

Building activity is up in the city over last year, reported City of Cranbrook chief administrative officer David Kim last night (August 15).

The second quarter of 2016 saw a total construction value of $6.48 million, as compared to $3.27 million for the second quarter of 2015.

“There have been 11 new housing starts (single family and medium multi—family) and three manufactured/mobile home foundations as compared to five new housing starts and five manufactured/mobile home foundation for the second quarter of 2015,” Kim said.

A total of 79 building permits have been issued in the second quarter of 2016, compared to 60 for the same period in 2015.

Year-to-date, construction costs for 2016 are $14.33 million, as compared to $5.36 million to the end of June 2015. As of June 30, a total of 124 permits have been issued, compared to 106 for the same period in 2015.

“Compared to 2015 we have 200% net growth, especially in the residential end. It’s very healthy growth. There is some motivation and activity happening,” Kim told city council.

Mayor Lee Pratt said the increase in building activity is part and parcel of the open-for-business approach council and city staff has taken in the past 18 months.

“There is a return of confidence in Cranbrook. It’s definitely coming around. This is a good sign; a start of something good for us,” he said. “Good work by the staff and administration.”

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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