Building numbers in Owen Sound are taking the summer off as June statistics show a large drop in the number of permits issues and the value of construction activity.
Only 44 permits issued this June compared to 78 a year ago.
The value of construction last month was just under 600 thousand dollars compared to the 2.9 million for June of last year.
Owen Sound Development Co-ordinator Sandra Parks says the slow down in the economy probably the main reason for the decline as developers are waiting before making investment decisions.
So far this year 167 per units have been issued with a total construction value of 7.6 million dollars.
That compares to last year’s first six month figures that show 254 permits issued with a construction value of 20.9 million dollars.
Parks predicts there is a light at the end of the tunnel as developers begin to take advantage of the cities moratorium on development charges.
She feels there will be a substantial upswing in building numbers as developers apply for permits before the end of the year to be eligible for getting their development fees back when construction is completed in 2010.
Parks also says there are several huge projects in the works that could have a dramatic impact on building numbers either later this year or early next years.
Those projects involve construction of the multi million dollar recreation facility and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.