Rochester Home Builders Had Best April in 11 Years

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - New home construction activity in Rochester is picking up steam.

The Rochester Building Safety Department issued 45 permits for new single-family homes last month. It was the highest monthly total since last September and the highest total for the month of April in 11 years and raised the total for this year to 124, which is 20 higher than the tally through the first four months of last year.

Overall, the city issued 225 building permits worth over $71 million in April, which nearly equaled the combined valuation total for the first three months of the year. Since the start of the year, the city has approved 731 building permits worth over $145 million. That’ number is very close to the valuation total through the first four months of last year, when the total number of permits issued was about 50 lower.

The largest permit approved last month was for the new Hilton Hotel under construction at the corner of Broadway and East Center Street. It covers the first phase of the project and is valued at $45 million. Another large permit was issued for the Maine Heights Apartments at over $5.9 million. The project calls for 46 housing units at a site just south of the Fleetfarm Store along South Broadway.