On the rebound?

By Anita Miller
News Editor

San Marcos July 05, 2008 03:31 pm

— Construction of apartments in San Marcos has rebounded in 2008 after a two-year slump; though no duplexes have been built since 2002 and no townhomes since 2004. Also, single family home sales are down so far this year, according to the city of San Marcos' Permit Center.
Reports just recently made available on the city's Web site track building activity from 1982 to the present time; offering a snapshot of the ups and downs of the construction industry for more than a quarter century.
According to the report for May 2008, there have been 224 starts on new apartment units and 45 single family homes. There were 103 single family residences built in 2007; 165 in 2006 and 118 in 2005.
Single family home starts ranged from a low of 11 in 1989 to a high of 177 in 2003. The most apartment units constructed in a year 1,121 in 2000; there were none built in 1988 through 1994.
Regarding Townhomes the greatest number, 27, were constructed in 1983; there were 13 two years after that. None were built in 1988 through 2000; five in 2001; four in 2003 and three in 2004.
Duplex construction peaked at 84 in 1996 and 80 in 1998.
Total units by year ranged from 1,232 in 2000 to 11 in 1989 (all single family). Last year's total of 103, (also all single family) was the lowest, 74, in 1994.
Building permits issued through May of this year total more than $66.7 million; 2007's total was more than $158.2 million and 2006's, more than $153 million. Dollar value of building permits currently online are available back to 1996.
Also online are development and planning maps. Significant projects in the June 2008 development map include the $38 million Embassy Suites Hotel and $20 million city-owned conference center at IH-35 and McCarty Lane; new Chuck Nash Dealership on IH-35 and McCoy's Corporate Office (both $7.5 million); the $4.8 million Country Inn and Suites, also on the interstate as are the $3.5 million JC Penney's and $4.5 million Target.
The Vantage Apartments; $17.3 million, are off Wonder World Drive.
Other newly available reports include land development code information, plat amendments and variations, annexations, special use permits, applications to the Historic Preservation Committee and other topics.
The link is at www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us