March 1, 2021

The first two months of the year were among the strongest on record for Sioux Falls, totaling more than $111 million in building permit value.

That compares with $53.2 million for the same time last year and $80.3 million in 2019.

The only time the city had a stronger start to the year was in 2016, when permits for the first two months totaled $135 million.

New residential construction at $28.4 million is double the value of permits issued through February last year. It represents 83 new single-family houses, compared with 40 last year.

New commercial activity is nearly triple at $39.6 million, compared with $14 million a year ago. And commercial additions and remodeling projects are more than double at $36.2 million, compared with $17.7 million.

At this time last year, only one apartment unit had been issued a permit. So far in 2021, there have been 238 units.

The largest project that received a permit in February was the next phase of Win Chill’s logistics and warehouse operation at Foundation Park, valued at $24.1 million.