REGION CONTINUES ON FAST TRACK FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Cape Girardeau continues on a fast track in the construction industry.

Construction totals for 1993 are the second best in the history of the city and marked the third time in as many years that totals are over the $30 million mark.

"City building permits for more than $33 million were issued last year," said Rick Murray, building inspector and supervisor of Cape Girardeau Inspection Service. "The exact figure is $33,169,258."

The 1993 total is almost $15 million under the record year of 1992 when two projects -- Health Services Corporation of America (HSCA) Lorimont Place and Southeast Missouri Hospital -- each constructed multi-million dollar projects.

"We were up in most categories this year," said Murray. "New home starts were at 103, the highest in a number of years; apartment units were up; and additions and improvements to commercial buildings were up."

Murray added that construction in Cape Girardeau over the past five years has been good.

"We've experienced a steady growth during that time," he said. "And, I don't really see any letup. We're already off to a good start this year. We have already issued seven home permits the first six weeks of the year and that's great this early in the year."

More than 500 permits have been issued during the past two years -- 529 in 1993 and 509 in 1992.

Also experiencing good residential growth is Jackson, which issued 86 new home permits in 1993, up from the 62 of a year ago.

New construction in Jackson -- including homes, apartments units, commercial buildings, a new school building, and remodeling of homes and businesses -- totaled $17.6 million, more than double the $7.7 million of 1992.

A total of 539 permits were issued in Jackson last year, surpassing the 339 of 1992.

More than $7.2 million went for one-family homes, with 86 permits, average $84,580. Another $2.6 million went for apartment buildings, with 35 new units in five buildings, a dozen duplexes (24 units) and 12 units in condominiums.

Five-year building permit statistics show that 1993 totals were well above the average in six of nine categories -- single-family residences, apartments, garages and other outbuildings, public buildings, signs and building demolition.

The five-year average from 1988 through 1992 for single family residences was 84 at an average of about $95,000. In 1993, 103 permits were issued at $11.6 million for an average of $112,600. The 17 permits for apartment buildings in 1993 more than doubled the five-year average of eight. Contractors spent $2.1 million in apartment construction in 1993, compared to the five-year average of $1.2 million.

The commercial building construction average was down for 1993, with 31 permits for $9.6 million. The five-year average revealed an average of $12.8 million and 66 permits a year. There was some difference on additions and remodeling of commercial buildings. The average was 75 permits at $3.9 million, and the 1993 totals show 84 permits at a cost of $3 million. The only other category is additions to residences, where 55 permits were issued last year, for $493,806, compared to the five-year average of 80 permits and $827,000.

This year's totals could be enhanced with a couple of big projects -- Sam's Club, a division of Wal-Mart and Warehouse, and the land-based portion of a riverboat casino operation along the Mississippi River.

Following is a look at building activity in Cape Girardeau through the 1990s, including January and to Feb. 8, 1994.

1994 -- Seven new homes, $735,000 (average, $105,000); one apartment house, eight units, $345,000; commercial buildings, $420,000; additions to residences and commercial buildings, and signs, $629,289. Total: $2,127,289.

1993 -- 103 new houses at a cost of $11,603,800 (average $112,658); duplexes and apartment buildings (17 units), $2,116,000; commercial buildings, $9,647,461; public buildings, $5,639,871; additions to residences and business buildings, and signs, $4.2 million. Total: $33,169,258.

1992 -- (record year): 89 new houses at a cost of $10,600,000 (average $120,000); nine apartment or duplex units, $879,000; additions to residences and business buildings, $7,300,000; commercial buildings, $29,217,699. Total: $47,996,699.

1991 -- 70 new houses at a cost of $8,080,000 (average $112,000); Two apartment units, $65,000; additions to residences and business buildings, $3,453,474; 110 commercial buildings, $20,221,179. Total: $31,704,468.

1990 - 82 new houses at a cost of $6,176,051 (average $75,300); 84 apartment units, $1,663,000; additions to residences, $345,131; 62 commercial buildings, 12,673,737; additions to commercial buildings, $3,523,291; public buildings, $1,091,000. Totals: $25,626,901.