Construction activity was very strong in North Bay during 2017, with the city recording $91 million the highest amount in eight years. The figure easily surpassed the 2016 total of nearly $78 million for a 17 per cent rise in building activity. Residential construction led the way with $34.9 million in building values which include the Marina Point expansion that began last fall.
The residential total was more than twice the 2016 figure when North Bay saw $15.3 million in housing activity. City Hall says last year’s residential activity reflects a shift in trends for residential types and robust activity in this area. Mayor Al McDonald says the 2017 numbers are both significant and important because they show developers and investors continue to have confidence in North Bay. McDonald says indicators are already pointing to 2018 being another good year for construction in the community.
There was also robust construction in the commercial sector with eight businesses given building permits valued from $200,000 to $1 million for a total of $28.6 million. Next on the list was institutional values at $21.4 million followed by $3.9 million in work in the industrial sector. A further 2.3 million in miscellaneous work rounded out the 2017 construction year.
