Demolition permits are up

Activity rebounded in 2013 after the recession, and is expected to continue.

By Reporter Staff • December 9, 2014 8:08 pm
Older homes like this one in the 3700 block of 77th Avenue S.E. are being demolished to make way for new construction.
Older homes like this one in the 3700 block of 77th Avenue S.E. are being demolished to make way for new construction.

The number of permits issued by the city for residential demolitions is up.

According to data kept by the city’s Development Service Group over the past 10 years, there was a drop in these types of permits in 2008 through 2011 during the recession. Demolition activity rebounded in 2013 and is expected to continue.

There were 41 demolition permits issued in 2004, 14 in 2009 and 58 homes were torn down last year. About 50 are projected for 2014 and expected in 2015.

There were 66 permits issued for new home construction in 2005, 12 in 2009 and 60 projected in 2014.

Remodels are still lingering below the 2004-2013 average, having spiked in 2007, when there were 388.

The average is 270 per year, but there were 240 in 2013, with the same amount projected for 2014 and 2015.