CONSTRUCTION TOTALS UP IN MOST CATEGORIES

Construction of the Hampton Inn is proceeding near Route K and Interstate 55.

A new roller skating rink is under construction in the 600 block of Commercial Street.

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

1994 construction totals were the second best in the history of the city. It marked the third time in as many years that the totals topped $30 million.

"City building permits for more than $38 million were issued last year," said Rick Murray, building inspector and supervisor of Cape Girardeau's inspection service.

The exact figure was $38,878,446.

The 1994 total is $9.1 million under the record year of 1992 when two projects -- Health Services Corp. of America's Lorimont Place and Southeast Missouri Hospital -- each constructed multimillion-dollar buildings.

"But we were up in almost every category over last year," said Murray. "New home starts were at 105, the highest in a number of years; apartment units were up; and additions and improvements to commercial buildings were up."

Murray said construction in Cape Girardeau over the past five years has been good. "We've experienced a steady growth during that time," he said.

More than 500 permits have been issued during each of the past three years -- 600 in 1994, 529 in 1993, and 509 in 1992.

Murray feels positive about the city's economy this year.

"This could go down as the best year ever for construction in the city," he said. "We're looking at large building and, or expansion projects by both hospitals, and we're still looking at the downtown riverboat project."

Murray is impressed with the home-building statistics of 1994. More than $14.3 million went for one-family homes, with 105 permits averaging $136,667.

Another growth area was in home improvements, which include additions, carports, garages and swimming pools. Permits in these areas totaled almost $2 million, with an average cost of $10,975 per home.

"This is positive news." said Murray. "When a family decides to build a new home or make improvements on an existing home, this is definitely a vote of confidence for our area. It shows that they see a bright and promising future here in Cape Girardeau."

Inspection services also issued 129 permits for apartment building construction at a total cost of almost $3.2 million.

Commercial building permits also rose in 1994, with 42 permits for a total of $18.5 million of declared construction costs, almost double the $9.6 million commercial construction of 1993.

Two of the major construction projects are scheduled for mid-year completion. Target Stores, which announced in September that it would build here, is to open during the summer. Also scheduled for a summer opening is the new Hampton Inn Motel.

A number of businesses opened during 1994, including Walgreens, Drury Suites, McDonald's and Hardee's restaurants, along with a Red Lobster restaurant, Pizza Inn and Sonic Drive-In.

A total of 74 permits were issued for additions to commercial buildings in 1994, with an average cost of $72,785, for a total of more than $5.3 million.

Five-year building permit statistics show that 1994 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 1990 through 1994 for single-family residences was 89 at an average of about $112,1000, compared to 105 with an average of $136,000 for 1994.

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 five-year average for commercial construction -- boosted by those 1992 totals of $29.2 million -- is $16.4 million. The 1994 totals show 42 permits at a cost of $13.1 million. However, 74 permits were issued for additions and improvements to commercial buildings, at a cost of more than $5.3 million.