Construction down in county

STELLARTON - Total construction numbers in the county have taken a dip compared to this time last year.
The latest stats show that construction value by the end of November stood at just under $18 million compared to $25.2 million in 2008. These figures are achieved by using estimates provided by the developer to the planning commission.
"Our total construction value is actually down a fair bit for 2009," said Roland Burek, senior planner with the Pictou County District Planning Commission.
Last year the Town of Pictou had a construction value of $5.5 million compared to $815,000 this year. Burek said that drop can be attributed to the sewage treatment facility that would be listed under 2008 stats.
Stellarton had a $5.15 million value last year compared to $1.5 million this year, and again, a large project in 2008 was the driver there - this time it was the construction of another office building on King Street for Sobeys. Keeping that in mind, Burek said Sobeys have another three-storey building planned for King Street and if that permit is approved before the end of the month, the 2009 stats will jump accordingly. There is also speculation, and it has been mentioned by Stellarton council, that a developer is interested in the former Heather Hotel property, but Burek said the planning commission hasn't received any applications yet.
New Glasgow, on the other hand saw an increase over 2008, thanks to the construction of the new Lawtons Drugs location on East River Road. Construction values in 2008 in New Glasgow were $10.5 million with a value of $12.8 million this year.
Downtown New Glasgow has been a hive of construction activity but that type of work - sidewalks and paving - doesn't require a permit, Burek said, noting that it is categorized as municipal infrastructure. On the other hand, any work done under the facade program would require a permit, he said.
Burek can point to a few general reasons that he figures are responsible for the overall drop.
"The economy in general and we weren't able to provide any building inspection services, we couldn't issue permits."
He said there was a period this year when the planning commission didn't have a building inspector - now known as a building official - on staff after the former inspector left for another job. Now they have two to handle the workload: Greg Smith and Zack van Rossum.
"We found out pretty quickly we needed two on," Burek said. "Anybody that would certainly want permits could get them now," he added.
The fact that two building officials are now on staff may have fuelled a year-end mini-boom but Burek said there's often a rush this time of year for a couple reasons.
"People often want to be in before Christmas and they're pushing to get an occupancy permit and with any new construction they want to be going before the frost is in the ground."
The Home Renovation Tax Credit may also play a part in the year-end push, Burek noted. The credit allows homeowners to get a tax break of up to $1,350 on lasting or integral renovations to their home. The deadline for this work is Jan. 31, 2010.
"I think that would probably buoy up some of our numbers, renovations in particular."