Just halfway through 2018, the estimated construction costs of new projects within Oil City has exceeded all of 2017.
And while a big portion of the $2,836,363 figure deals with a pair of city water projects, the overall value of construction shows a positive uptick.
“Wow. That’s a pretty good number,” said Curt Greene, the city code administrator, as he checked the tally from January through July 10. “And we’ve got a lot of residential improvements going on and that’s always a good sign.”
Claiming the bulk of the projected 2018 building costs are the construction of two municipal water booster stations. They are located in the 400 block of Central Avenue and at 2 Zemke Lane. The dollar figure is pegged at $1,593,100.
In all, 55 building permits have been issued by the city since the first of the year. Of that number, five are for commercial projects, including the two water pump stations.
The heftiest commercial project is the renovation of the former Thorne’s Market in the city’s East End. In May, Goodwill Industries signed a lease to use a large part of the vacant market for a retail, distribution and training center.
The building is owned by Pittsburgh developer David Brody and other partners.
Goodwill will use a 17,000-square-foot section of the structure. The remaining space, a 7,000-square-foot section, is up for rent.
The building permit, filed by owner BSP Associates, lists an estimated construction figure of $522,000.
The remaining commercial permits were filed by King’s Landscaping of Siverly Avenue for an $10,000 addition and the Oil City Area School District for a new retaining wall at the high school. The latter project is estimated to cost $350,000.
A total of 50 residential building permits have been issued to date by the city. The work ranges from window replacements to roof repairs, shed construction, deck expansions and exterior renovations.
The permit fees will net Oil City about $11,424.
Greene said he is optimistic about construction activity scheduled through the remainder of 2018.
“We could have a few big ones, like the Country Fair expansion and the multi-modal transportation hub on Seneca Street,” said Greene. “So far, they haven’t filed building permits yet but it could happen this year.”
A County Fair representative told city council the expansion project may cost in excess of $250,000. The two-story transportation hub, one that will house Venango County’s transit agency administration and provide equipment and storage space, is set at a multi-million figure.
Two other in-the-works projects may include renovation work at the former Cornplanter Square building, targeted for a micro-brewery and business incubator, and a potential developer for Jack Roser’s now vacant tract of land between Oil Creek and Main Street.
