EBR building permits off 3% in September

The number of projects receiving a building permit in East Baton Rouge Parish last month dropped 3% compared to September 2011, according to a report released today by the city-parish Department of Public Works. A total of 1,782 projects were permitted in September, down from 1,837 during the month last year. The report says 53 commercial projects were permitted, down from 67 a year ago. A number of large commercial projects were permitted during the month, including a $12 million addition to the Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center on Hennessy Boulevard, and the new PreSonus headquarters building at 19141 Highland Road, valued at $7.5 million. Of the 137 permits issued in September for residential projects, 55 were for new homes and 82 were for additions/remodels. The total number of residential permits is down from 175 issued in September 2011. Year-to-date, permitting is down about 10%, with 15,009 issued through September this year, compared to 16,737 last year. You can take a look at the complete permit report for yourself here.