Feb. 1, 2022

Building activity started off the year a little slower than 2021’s record pace in Sioux Falls.

City building permit valuation for January totaled $44.6 million, compared with $57.8 million last year and $33.1 million in 2020.

The biggest declines were in commercial activity. New commercial permits totaled $18.4 million, about half of last year’s $35.1 million, and additions and remodels came in at $12 million versus $6.4 million.

New home construction also fell behind last year, though, with permits issued for 28 homes, compared with 42.

Permits were issued for 100 multifamily units, compared with 238 last year.

The largest project of the month, and the only one greater than $3 million, was a new apartment complex from Empire Homes at 2705 S. Lancaster Drive valued at $14.2 million. That’s in the area of 41st Street and Ellis Road.

Here’s a closer look at the company behind it, which has several projects in progress this year:

Growing development company brings large projects to east, west sides