Downtown construction permits top $35 million in 2014

More than $35.4 million in permits for private property improvements were issued for downtown projects in 2014, according to a city report.

Thats a substantial increase over 2013, when the building permit valuation for private projects in downtown was reported at just over $7 million.

Early work on the Archer Hotel and Napa Center project represents the bulk of the 2014 total, said Robin Klingbeil, the citys senior development project coordinator. Those combined are about $30 million, she said.

Last year was marked by a significant amount of both private and public activity, including new business openings, relocations and expansions, major tenant improvements, renovations, and infrastructure upgrades, Klingbeil said in an email.

The 2014 figure is made up of $30.3 million for new construction (including the Archer and Napa Center); $3.8 million for tenant improvements; and $1.3 million for commercial remodel projects. It does not include permits for earthquake damage repair.

The citys numbers were compiled from city building permit records, private developers, RealQuest, MetroScan data services and news reports.

Since 1996, total investment in the greater downtown area has topped $1.2 billion, the city said.

Overall, downtowns economic performance is on a steady incline, and the view is positive, said Rick Tooker, community development director for the city.

Even prior to the earthquake, there were millions of dollars in building improvements underway to upgrade existing retail and office spaces, as well as for construction of new projects like the Archer Hotel, he said .

However, there are individual businesses that have struggled, and the impact of the earthquake on top of the construction activity surrounding them continues to pose challenges. As the construction is completed and storefronts and offices reopen, our hope is that the struggling businesses will once again see higher access and visibility, and given the projects in the pipeline, the future looks bright, he said.

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Downtown construction permits top $35 million in 2014