By Pepper Parr
December 3, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
City hall reports that building permit applications received in 2014 is the second highest on record. The steady construction activity represents an estimated construction value of $383,619,068 to date.
“Burlington has had consistently steady and strong construction activity over the past five years,” said Scott Stewart, general manager of development and infrastructure. “By the end of this year, we anticipate the construction value will surpass the $400 million mark.
Even in their wildest imaginations – the Alton family would never have thought those farm fields would look like this – imagine the increase in value.
“This level of activity reflects the favourable climate that Burlington enjoys in terms of its prosperity and quality of life.” That is one way of putting it – another would be that developers can get pretty much what they want in this city – so they go where the grass is greenest
There has been 1,981 building permit application compared to 1,819 in 2013. The highest number was in 2012 when 2,287 building permit applications were received.
Industrial, commercial and institutional sectors account for almost 50 per cent of building permits and inspections activity while the residential sector—such as single-family dwellings, semi-detached and townhouses—represent 33 per cent of construction activity. The renovations sector makes up 17 per cent.
That 50% number doesn’t square with what we have heard at Standing Committee meetings; has the city co-mingled inspection reports with permit applications?
The controversial Ghent Street development added to the building permit applications.
We have consistently heard that the city is falling behind in the commercial-industrial sector – so where does the 50% number come from? The 2014 Construction Activity Annual Report will be published in January – they might need a close look.
Scott Stewart, the odds on favourite to be named the next city manager said: “The diversification of the types of construction portrays a more sustainable economic picture than a decade or two ago when subdivisions represented most of the city’s economic activity”.
