McMinnville booming, building permits says
I was glancing through this year’s McMinnville building and sign permits when I stumbled upon an eye-catching figure.
In the first four months of 2008, there has already been a total of $7.1 million worth of building and sign permits issued. That’s more than the $6.9 million in building permits issued for all of 2006.
Here’s a quick glance at the past four years and the amount of building and sign permits issued:
‘ 2005 ‘ $8.75 million
‘ 2006 ‘ $6.97 million
‘ 2007 ‘ $11.88 million
‘ 2008 ‘ $7.1 million
‘We’ve had some activity this year, quite a few things going on,’ said Building and Codes director Jim Brock. ‘At least we have people who are spending some money. But some of these things we won’t have again. We have two new apartment complexes going in and over a $1 million renovation to Wal-Mart.’
There have certainly been some big-time projects that McMinnville doesn’t see with great regularity. A $4.1 million, 64-unit apartment complex on Northwood Lane near the fairgrounds is one of those projects. So is a $1.2 million renovation to Wal-Mart and a $51,000 coffee bar at McDonald’s.
Another massive renovation project was Ming’s Buffet & Grill which recently opened at Cumberland Plaza. If you think the inside of Ming’s looks great, it should for the tune of $130,000.
On top of all that activity from January to April, Sonic began a $240,000 renovation earlier this month that’s not yet on the books.
Despite the constant attention paid to the economy in general, and the construction market in particular, it appears things are in good shape in McMinnville. That’s news I like to hear.