Permits total record $26.8 million

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Even when the sales tax referendum projects are subtracted, 2002 will go down as the most robust building year this city has ever seen.

The city issued 513 permits, one more than in 2000, with a total value of $26,797,883, $11.7 million more than the 2000 total value of $15,079,909.

It wouldn't have been that close if not for a burst of $3.5 million in industrial and commercial building in December 2000. December 2002's total amounted to only $226,285, most of which resulted from industrial and commercial building, too.

"Nothing ever comes at a metered pace because of the different elements in the economy," City Manager Brian Gramentz said. "But we had the property ready to be developed."

Gramentz doesn't believe, however, that the banner year in building necessarily will spur the drive for annexation of additional land into the city.

"Right now, we don't need to annex for homes because in the residential area there's still room for a lot of homes up on top (in and around the potential Diocesan development). With other sectors of our economy, we probably do."

The New Ulm Economic Development Corporation is working to put together a new industrial park for the city across U.S. Highway 14 from the municipal airport.

"I wish I could take credit for it, but I can't," said Mayor Joel Albrecht, "but it indicates that Brian Tohal (industrial development coordinator) was right that another industrial park is needed."

Single-family home building slowed from the torrid pace set in 2001, but it exceeded that of 2000. Eighteen permits were issued with a total value of $2,755,000. This paled in comparison with the 27 permits issued in 2001 with a value of $4,094,000. 2000 saw 16 permits issued with a value of $1,895,000.

However, 2002 excelled in the building of multi-family residences. Eighteen permits totaling $1,608,000 were issued; whereas, only four totaling $788,000 were issued in 2001. None were issued in 2000.

If it hadn't been for the permits issued for building the sales tax referendum projects, it would have been a tie with 2000 for industrial and commercial development. The city issued 45 permits valued at $19,407,328 in 2002, compared with 42 permits totaling $10,336,578 in 2000.

Additions, repairs and garage construction is virtually a level line, varying little in the past three years. The city is, however, a big winner in 2002 as permit fees retained by the city totaled $170,562.95, over $63,000 more than collected in 2000 -- the second biggest year.

December Permits

DM&E Railroad, 1st South & Valley, replace shingles, $3,500.

Gerald Eastman, 1107 S. Valley St., remodel bathroom, $3,000.

Holm Industries, 2523 S. Bridge St., add new bathrooms, two break rooms, $35,000.

Erik Setterholm, 116 S. Jefferson, build 26x40 garage in alley, $15,000.

Gene Byer, 411 N. Minnesota, storm damage repair, replace soffits, $2,000.

LaJoy Fischer, 626 S. Washington, install bathroom in basement, $3,000.

Thomas Stevensen, 407 N. Garden, build 28x38 garage in alley, $20,000.

Cyle Gruver, 1009 S. Minnesota, two new egress windows, $1,000.

North Central Container, 209 3rd South St., add open 30x30 front dock, $19,000.

Steve Dummer, 809 12th South Street, enclose 20x13 deck for porch, $5,000.

Kraft Foods, 2525 S. Bridge Street, construct Kathabar room, $117,785.

Judy Murphy, 910 8th North St., build bedroom in basement, $2,000.