By Barbara Simpson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Population isn’t the only growth being touted for the City of Sarnia.
January was a banner month for building permits issued in, according to the city’s chief building official.
The city issued 16 building permits worth $9.2 million this January. Last year, in the same month, it doled out 13 permits valued at $2.6 million.
It’s in line with a booming trend in construction across Ontario, according to a release from the province. Ontario saw 77,300 units of housing starts last month up from 69,600 units in December.
While the province is seeing growth in housing construction, Sarnia reported more growth in the commercial sector. Only three of the issued permits were for single-family homes in January.
Loblaw Properties Ltd. received a $500,000 permit for storefront renovations at its Murphy Road plaza. BP Canada plans to do a $3 million office renovation and addition.
These high-figure building permits issued in the city are also in line with the trend across the province. Ontario saw the value of permits rise sharply to $2.9 billion in December.
For Alan Shaw, the city’s chief building official, the $7.5-million addition and renovation to the Vision Nursing Home & Vision Rest Home on Wellington Street stands out. The facility currently has 110 long-term care beds with 108 permanent placement beds and two respite beds.
Ray Curran, of the Sarnia Construction Association, said he was pleased about the increased number of building permits. However, he doesn’t expect it’ll have much of an impact with workers in his association.
“We haven’t seen much change in our sector, which is primarily the heavy industrial sector, but it’s good to hear that progress is being made,” he said. “We’re happy to hear that.”
January was also positive for the local real estate market. It was the second highest January in a decade with sales of $24.1 million.
“We had a fantastic January, which is actually carrying through from our fall,” said Donna Mathewson, president of the Sarnia-Lambton Real Estate Board. “We had a record-breaking November, December; January’s the same.”
While Mathewson is predicting a strong year in the local real estate market, Shaw expects more of an “average year.”
“The last five years, with the exception of last year, were record years, but this year we’ll see more of a year from the last 10 years,” he said.
Sarnia Observer Article ID# 3476783
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