Building boom defies economy

By Staff
Permits total more than $15 million since May
By Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
A sluggish economy across the country hasn't affected construction activity in Madison this summer as the Madison Community Development Department has issued 24 commercial construction permits and more than 204 residential construction permits since May 1 totaling more than $15 million.
Since May 1, valuation figures released by the department show 14 commercial building permits were issued during the month of May with the largest permit belonging to the Madison City Schools Board of Education at 4796 Wall Triana Hwy. for alterations at West Madison Elementary School. The valuation of that permit was $304,349. The department also issued a $189,000 permit for restroom renovations at Discovery Middle School.
The second largest commercial construction permit issued by the department during the month of May was to Louis Breland at $204,000 for a 10,200 square-foot office/retail building at 8097 Madison Blvd.
During the month of June, the department issued a $1.2 million permit to Jetplex Associates for an office/warehouse storage facility at 495 Production Ave. A $145,000 permit was issued for alterations to a 2,400 square-foot building at 7779 Highway 72.
Rounding up the largest commercial building permits issued by the department during the month of July was for $300,000 for the Rock N' Rollers go cart track at 100 Skate Park Drive just southwest of the Mill Road and Hughes Road intersection.
The department issued $2.7 million worth of commercial construction permits from May 1 to the present date.
During the same time period, more than $12.3 million in residential construction permits were issued.
The largest permit, belonging to Steven Corbett at 244 Kyser Blvd. was issued for The Grand Reserve at Madison luxury apartment community. The complex is located at the western edge of Kyser Boulevard past the Charleston Oaks apartment community. It is the largest residential commercial construction permit issued so far this year.
A $215,804 permit was issued for a new phase at the Villas of Madison on Cathedral Drive. The complex is located north of Kroger off Hughes Road
The month of May saw 107 residential construction permits issued, with 57 permits issued during the month of June and 40 permits issued so far during the month of July.