CITY CONSTRUCTION IS ROBUST

Once again, construction in the Cape Girardeau area has outdone both national and state averages, a trend that has become the rule rather than exception for the area in recent years.

Based on building permits issued by the city of Cape Girardeau's Inspection Services Division, commercial and residential contracts during the first quarter of this year were up a hefty 17 percent over 1995 first-quarter averages. Nationally, construction fell slightly in January and February, and statewide total construction during the first two months of the year was down 24 percent.

Permits for three major commercial projects, including a $2.5 million arena in Osage Park and a $1.5 million sports complex in Shawnee Park, shoved the commercial-construction figures up 10 percent over last-year's first-quarter dollar figures. Coupled with a clinker storage building that will cost Lone Star cement $7.5 million, total commercial construction launched the first quarter topped $14 million.

Residential construction also showed a significant gain: There were permits issued for 14 single-family homes, a dozen duplexes and one 18-unit apartment building. Those projects will cost almost $12 million, 10 percent above the amount spent for residential construction during 1995's first quarter.

It all points out the fact that Cape Girardeau continues to experience a robust construction economy. Even during the worst construction periods elsewhere, this area has stayed a stop ahead, generating the growth and jobs that help keep the local economy strong.