Total value of building projects higher in 2019

MOSES LAKE — Building activity in Moses Lake increased between 2017 and 2019, at least when measured by building permits issued.

City officials issued 703 building permits in 2019, an 8.7 percent increase from 2018, when 642 permits were issued. The city issued 547 building permits in 2017.

Total valuation for all projects in 2019 was $43,364,820.11, a 10.6 percent increase from 2018. Total valuation actually had decreased in 2018; it was $41,461,660.70 for 2017.

Most building permits are not issued for new construction. People want to replace a fence or build a new fence, fix a roof, extend or replace a patio, replace a heating system. Permits are required for sewer and water line repair. People remodel kitchens or bathrooms, convert an extra room, add a garage or swimming pool.

Businesses also need new roofs, new heating-cooling systems and new signs. Like homeowners, business owners sometimes opt for a remodel, expanding the premises or remodeling an interior. Sometimes, like the ongoing project at Moses Lake Community Health, an organization is both expanding and remodeling.

Much of the new construction in the city limits in 2019 was single-family housing. The city issued building permits for more than 100 new homes, some in developments, others as individual houses.

Apartment construction slowed down, with some requests for permits for duplexes and apartment projects of less than 50 units.

Some of the development was an extension of existing projects, with both Hayden Homes and Aho Construction continuing to build. Some are projects revived after a pause of a few years, such as a project at the intersection of Division and Ninth Avenue.

Building permits were issued for houses on the west shores of Moses Lake, north and south of the freeway.

Dustin Swartz, president of the Grant County Homebuilders Association, said construction in 2019 followed a pretty traditional path. Grant County and Moses Lake have experienced economic growth over the last decade, Swartz said; the conventional wisdom is that companies locate where there are potential workers. “More often, people follow business,” he said.

With more people moving to the area, apartment construction came first, since unit for unit, it’s faster to build apartments. Traditionally the next wave is single family houses, he said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].