A glance at construction activity in San Luis Obispo county through mid-year show an improved picture compared to last year.
Through mid-year 2012 some 111 single family permits were issued in SLO County compared to 108 over the same period a year ago. What pops out at you however, is the valuation of all residential permits – $55.4 million in mid 2011 compared to $142.7 million during the same period this year.
What’s the change?
By far the big change is a surge in alternative energy( think solar) permits for residential units valued at $83.2 million so far this year compared to to just $3.6 million for the same period in 2011.Residential remodels are up in 2012 as well from $9.6 million to $12 million.
Commercial Busy
How about on the commercial front? Much bigger numbers here with all commercial permits valued at $115 million so far this year compared to $23.7 million during the first half of 2011.A large chunk of that comes form the big solar projects in the Carrizo Plain valued at $65 million so far this year compared to $163,000 in 2011 in the commercial alternative energy category.
However, there is also a big jump in oil exploration related industrial activity this year mostly at one address in Price Canyon near Pismo where they are literally sinking millions of dollars.The value of ag projects (think wineries) in the county also jumped so far this year form $6.3 million to $11 million. Retail permits jumped from $3.2 million to $7.4 million while the construction category of offices increased to $8.7 million from only $280,000 in the first half of 2011.
Clearly, commercial building activity is back in SLO this year. All data from Construction Monitor.