CONSTRUCTION IN CAPE, JACKSON ON FAST TRACK

Commercial and new-home construction, expansions and remodeling of property in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and the area continue on a fast track.

Construction totals for 1995 were the second best in the history of Cape Girardeau and marks the fourth time in as many years totals were more than $30 million.

Cape Girardeau issued $44,367,286 in building permits last year, said Rick Murray, building inspector and supervisor of Cape Girardeau Inspection Service.

New construction starts at Jackson was worth $13,617,629.

"This is less than the record year of 1994," said Steve Wilson, Jackson city administrator, "but it's still another impressive year in terms of construction within the city."

The 1995 totals in Cape Girardeau were only $3.5 million less than 1992's record year when two giant projects fueled more than $26 million in new commercial construction. Total construction in 1992 was $47.99 million.

"We were up in some categories and down in some in 1995," said Murray. New home starts were down, fewer than 100 (57) for the first time in the 1990s, but apartment units were up, with permits for 122 units, the most in any one year during the 1990s.

Commercial construction was the highest since 1992, at $21.5 million, and expansions and additions to commercial buildings were the highest ever, at $7.8 million.

Murray said construction in Cape Girardeau the past six years has been good.

"We've experienced a steady growth during that time," he said, "and I don't really see any letup ... at least not during the first six months of 1996."

Construction could continue at a rapid pace through the first half of 1996, said Murray.

A couple of new subdivision developments could increase single-family home construction early in the year. More strip centers and a couple other commercial projects are expected to keep projects going through spring.

Two of the most visible commercial projects on the city's skyline are hospital projects -- the new parking garage at St. Francis Medical Center and a new front entrance at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

The parking garage was one of the largest projects started in 1995, a $4.1 million permit. The Lutheran Home Sarconi Manor project was the largest permit of the year, at $4.8 million, but more than a half-dozen projects were near or more than the million-dollar mark.

The annual permit report, compiled by Brenda Schloss, division of inspection services, showed commercial projects accounted for almost two-thirds of the 1995 total, at $29.3 million -- $21.5 in new construction and $7.8 million in additions and expansions.

Additions and expansions to commercial building were also up, from $5.4 million in 1994 to $7 million last year.

Nonresidential construction helped make up a lackluster residential building year.

"Residential construction wasn't really down that much," said Rick Murray, inspection services director, "but it was a tradeoff from mostly one-family residences to multifamily dwellings."

A year ago, permits were issued for a total of 164 family-living units (105 single-family homes and 59 apartment units). In 1995, permits were for a total of 179 family units (57 single-family houses and 122 apartment) units.

Dollar figures, however, were much different. The 105 single-family homes in 1994 were valued at $14.3 million (an average of $135,000) and apartment construction was at $3.1 million.

Last year's dollar totals were $8.1 million for the 57 homes (an average of $141,000) and $5 million for multi-family units, for a total of $13.1 million.

"Still, It was a good year," said Murray. "We issued a total of 589 permits. I actually consider this a bigger year than the record year of 1992. The number of commercial projects -- new and expanded -- are the most ever. In 1992, two projects accounted for more than $14 million."

An increase also has been noted in expansions and remodeling of homes, said Murray. More than 140 permits were issued for decks, carports, garages, expansions, swimming pools and remodeling. Fewer than 100 permits were issued for the same improvements in 1994.

The $44.4 million total does not include two projects -- a $2.2 million building project at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and a $15 million, 100,000-square-foot business building under construction on the Southeast Missouri State University campus. Nor does it include construction of a new Mississippi River bridge and cross-city highway.

New construction in Jackson included more than 100 homes starts for a second straight year. The single-family housing starts were down from the phenomenal record of 145 in 1994, Noted Tom Morris, Jackson Public Works director. "But, at 110, it was the second highest year in history," he said.

Single-family housing finished the year strong.

Twenty-nine permits were issued the final quarter of the year.

Permits for 171 residential units were issued in 1995. Sixty-one of the units were duplexes or apartments.

Building activity in the 1990s.

Following is a look at building activity in Cape Girardeau through the 1990s.

1995 -- 57 new homes, $8,058,976 (average, $141,000); 37 apartment structures, 122 units, $4,975,500; 48 commercial buildings, $21,546,417; additions to residences and commercial buildings, and signs, $9.7 million. Total: $44,367,286.

1994 -- 105 new homes, $14,303,002 (average, $135,000); 19 apartment structures, 59 units, $3,153,000; 42 commercial buildings, $13,155,923; additions to residences and commercial buildings, and signs, $8.2 million. Total: $38,989,446.

1993 -- 103 new houses at a cost of $11,603,800 (average $112,658); duplexes and apartment buildings, 17 units at $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.

Total new construction in the 1990s, $221.7 million.

Following are some construction figures for Jackson, 1992 to 1995.

1995 -- 110 new housing starts, $13,617,629 in total new construction (residential and commercial).

1994 -- 145 new housing starts, $18,598,453 in total new construction (residential and commercial).

1993 -- 97 new housing starts, $10,249,332 in total new construction (residential and commercial).

1992 -- 67 new housing starts, $7,096,520 in total new construction (residential and commercial).