HOUSING SUBDIVISION MEANS BIG JUMP IN YEAR END BUILDING IN BRENHAM

  

A big jump in residential construction in December in Brenham meant a strong finish for the year for building permits in Brenham.

The city issued 28 permits in December with a total value of $1.98 million.  The city issued a $31.9 million worth of building permits for the year 2013.  It was still a weak year for building in Brenham, however.  In 2012 the city issued $36.9 million in building permits.  The construction of the new Alton Elementary School and the renovation of the Brenham Middle School accounted for $26 million of the building permits for the year.  The new elementary school was valued at $14 million and the renovations at the Middle School accounted for $12 million.

The December rise in building permits reversed a three month declining trend in Brenham building.  Last month, the city issued only 21 permits for $415,617.  

The city issued a $395,360 building permit for a residence at 2400 Dillon.   A $234,657 building permit was issued for a residence in the 2400 block of Cory.  The city issued a $178,980 building permit for a residence at 2308 Ralston.  The city also issued a building permit worth $120,060 for a residence going up at 2200 Ralston..  Julie Fulghum,  Brenham’s Director of Developmental Services, says these new residences are part of the Ralston Subdivision that has been under development for about a year.  She says to expect a steady stream of construction and a big increase of housing in the city, by as many as 175 new homes..

The biggest permit for a commercial enterprise was a parking lot valued at $220,000.

Fulghum explains  the recent decline in building permits as being part of the city’s inventory of building being completed.