New Construction Activity in Rochester Slowed in First Quarter

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - New home construction activity in Rochester rebounded in March but remains very sluggish for the year.

The City Building Safety Department issued 27 permits for new single-family homes last month. It was the highest monthly total since last October and slightly above the 25 permits issued in March of last year, but the total since the start of the year stands at only 38. The total through the first three months of last year was 60.

Overall, the city issued 182 building permits worth nearly $37.8 million in March. The valuation total for the year is up to $82 million from 381 permits. That’s down considerably from last year when the permit total for the first quarter was 445 and the total valuation was listed at almost $113 million.

The largest building permit approved in March was for the expansion project at Rochester Community and Technical College which was valued at $13.2 million. That was followed by a nearly $8.8 million permit for the new Prairie Care Medical Office Building next to the Think Bank headquarters along West Circle Drive Northwest.

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