Permits for $2 million worth of construction were taken out in January, according to a monthly report from city hall.
That's way down from $9.7 million over the same month last year and also down from the $2.9 million reached in January 2014. The worst January in recent memory occurred in 2009 when the total reached a mere $1.1 million.
In all 13 permits were taken out, including four for $1.2 million worth of new single-family homes. That's way down from $3.8 million over the same month last year.
But in reference to a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation report that showed just three new single-family homes in January, compared to 16 over the same month last year, Canadian Homebuilders Association-Northern B.C. president Jody Tindill said the month is typically a slow time of year and suggested the difference was due to an exceptionally busy January 2015.
A start is counted by CMHC once a foundation has been poured.
The only other permit of note was for a $550,000 riding arena at a 4800-block Poty Rd. home.
Looking at the Fraser-Fort George Regional District, 18 permits for $771,000 worth of work were taken out, up from 15 permits for $429,250 during the same month last year. Of that, one was for a new $255,000 home in electoral area C (Chilako River-Nechako).
