$38 MILLION MARKS BIG YEAR FOR BUILDING

City building permits for more than $13 million in new construction have been thus far issued in September. The total is the most for any month in five years.

"It may be the biggest month ever here," said Rick Murray, supervisor of Cape Girardeau Inspection Service. "I know we're headed for the best year ever. The numbers will be up quite a bit over last year."

One reason for September's strong performance in Cape Girardeau was a $12.9 million permit for the city's biggest project in years a two-year, $13.3 million expansion project by Southeast Missouri Hospital.

"I thought we did well last year, especially during the fall and winter months," said Murray. "But this year has been phenomenal. The hospital and Health Services Corporation of America (HSCA) projects have been big boosts to construction this year, and single-family housing is up."

A year ago, construction permits in Cape Girardeau totaled over $25 million. This year the unofficial total is already past the $38 million mark, at $38.4 million. The hospital and HSCA permits account for about $20 million of the total.

"We've seen permits issued for three duplex buildings, and we expect to see more duplexes," said Murray. "Both small and large projects are pushing our 1992 totals up."

The dollar volume for single family homes is up considerably this year.

"Our total last year was 72 new houses at a cost of about $8 million," said Murray. "We have probably already passed that total this year."

A month-by-month check of building permits Friday revealed an unofficial total of 74 permits issued for new homes in the amount of $8.6 million as of Friday. That averages more than $115,000 for each.

"These have been in all price ranges," said Murray. Many of the permits have been in the $100,000 to $115,000 range, but they have ranged form $60,000 to more than $350,000.

Swimming pools, decks, patios, garages, home remodeling and additions have been plentiful this year, said Murray.

"We have issued a number of permits for those items this year, especially during July and August," he said.

Murray said he doesn't expect any letdowns.

"There may be a month that comes in a little slower, but everything is very strong so far," he said. "When all the totals are in for 1992, we're going to have a record year that will be hard to beat. But, if something drastic doesn't happen, we expect the construction boom to go into 1993."

The construction boom in housing is not limited to Cape Girardeau; new housing starts in Jackson continue at a better-than-average pace.

Jackson Building Inspector Robbie Roberts said permits for 30 houses worth $2,216,300 were issued during the six-month period through June 30. Roberts said the average number of new homes built each year in Jackson is 43, based on a 10-year average from 1980 through 1990.

"The latest figures show us already over that 10-year average," said Roberts. "At latest count we have a list of 45 house permits this year."

Construction facts:

Permits have been issued here this year for 74 homes at a cost of more than $8.6 million. That's an average of more than $115,000 per home.

Permits have been issued for more than $28 million in commercial construction.

Permits have been issued for about $2 million for home repairs and remodeling, decks, patios and swimming pools.

September permits include a $12.9 million permit for Southeast Missouri Hospital construction.

The second largest permit issued in 1992 was for more than $7 million for the HSCA project.

July permits included an $819,000 project for a new Cracker Barrel restaurant, and a $384,500 renovation for Toys R Us, which will move into the old Wal-Mart building on Silver Springs Road.

The largest permit in August was for $800,000 to expand the Victorian Inn.

Construction permits last year totaled more than $25 million, including $8 million for 72 new houses, $1 million for additions to residences and business buildings, and $16.7 for commercial buildings.