Aug. 2, 2019

Sioux Falls building permits took a big drop in July, putting the city behind the construction pace of the past two years.

Through the first seven months of the year, permit valuation totaled $393.8 million, compared with $449.3 million last year and $415.8 million in 2017.

The biggest drop is in new commercial construction, which totaled $116.5 million, compared with $184.4 million last year.

Permits issued in July for large projects include Plains Commerce Bank’s retail center at 57th Street and Sycamore Avenue, at $2.1 million, and renovations at both Sioux Falls Target stores, which are valued at $2 million each.

New residential construction is basically flat year-over-year, with $126 million in permits, or $500,000 more than the same time last year. That reflects permits for fewer single-family homes, though. Through July, the city has issued permits for 390 new houses, which is 24 fewer than the same time last year.

Town houses at 188 units are behind last year’s 205 units. Apartments, which are considered commercial construction, are at 338 units, compared with 492 last year.