By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

Building permits down, after major projects last year

Jul 18, 2018 | 12:22 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Building permit numbers are down substantially this year. But officials with the city of Lethbridge caution not to read too much into it.

In the first six months of 2018, the total number of permits was 612, down from 904 in 2017. The value was $98.2 million, compared to $230.8 million a year earlier. But the biggest single figure is in the category of new government and institutional, with three permits last year totalling over $128 million, and none so far this year in that category.

“What we’re seeing is a lot more smaller-valued projects, with the completion of the Destination Project from last year, or wrapping up, the numbers came in last year for that project,” explained Kerry Crump, building inspection service manager. “So, they’re not on this year’s numbers. We anticipate some Cavendish Farms revenue coming in. That may get our numbers strengthened a little bit, later part of this year. And then, the housing market is slightly down from last year, new housing. But we expect that the fall rush will start to gain a little bit, in foundation permits.”

The June numbers include a foundation permit worth $32 million to Cargill Ltd. For its transportation terminal at the Alberta Terminals building on 1 Ave. N. The rail expansion will more than double the loading capacity, to move grain more efficiently.

In addition, work is underway on a new hotel, identified by the city as a Holiday Inn, in the W.T. Hill commercial area. A $7.2 million permit was issued in May, as well as a $14.5 million permit to the city for the new downtown transit terminal and park-and-ride.

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Crump said while the numbers may vary from year-to-year, it’s not necessarily a reflection on the economy.

“Lethbridge doesn’t get hit by these spikes, these peaks and valleys, like the rest of the province,” he said. “We’re not so dependent here on oil revenues as the rest of the province. We’ve got a fairly stable economy here. It’s more like a gentle ocean wave than a tsunami.”

He added that it’s hard to predict whether a given year will be up or down.