Nov 17, 2009 - 09:43 AM
WHITBY -- Things are starting to look up in Whitby a year after the Town experienced some of the worst conditions in its history of building permit activity.
A total of 99 permits were issued in October at a value of more than $25 million, demonstrating a drastic jump from the mere 50 sold at a value of about $3 million during the same period in 2008.
"We started to see it turn around in late July into August but September and October have been very good months," said Brent Rice, the Town's manager of building and bylaw services.
The improved conditions reflect a whopping 682-per cent increase in value from last year, he added.
"The builders are coming back in with more permits and I've spoken with a few of them who indicated that things are turning and sales are starting to increase."
Residential permits led the way with 77 issued in October at a total value of about $2.7 million and the remaining sectors including commercial, industrial and agricultural also remained relatively stable.
"I think, overall, people are starting to see that the economy is stabilizing and early to late fall is generally a busy period for us, especially for the home builders who are trying to get things into the ground and foundations done before the winter hits," Mr. Rice said.
A highlight for the month was the purchase of a permit by the Whitby Christian Assembly for the construction of an addition and interior alterations to the existing church at 100 Rossland Rd. W. The estimated construction value was the largest issued in October at $5 million.
So far this year, 713 permits have been sold in Whitby, which is still significantly lower than the 1,062 during this time last year, with overall values dropping about 30 per cent.