In 2014, several contractors reported they were experiencing challenging business conditions. While building permits – spurred by massive infrastructure projects such as the LRT system – reached a record $2.67 billion by years’ end, the workload was distributed unevenly.
This year, the numbers indicate the decline has become more wide-spread, with building permit activity falling about 17 per cent from the same period last year.
City of Ottawa data indicates there were $944.3 million in building permits issued from January to June, compared to $1.14 billion ($1,142.7 million) in permits for the same time in 2014.
The June permits were $219.4 million, compared to $273.8 million in June 2014.
The largest projects permitted in Ottawa in June were (in descending order):
- $19,903,160 – 6401 Renaud Rd., Construct a two-storey institutional building (Ecole secondaire catholique secteur Orleans), contractor unknown
- $19,169,469 – 4285, 4289, and 4293 Innes Rd., three, two-storey medical buildings (permitted each at $6,388,823), contractor unknown
- $10,910,492 – 1021 Thomas Spratt Pl., four-storey office building, Medical Council of Canada
- $4,800,000 – 401 Smyth Rd. (CHEO) Interior alterations to the DSU and PACU areas (3rd floor) of a seven-storey institutional building, contractor unknown
- $4,349,510 – 460 St. Laurent Blvd., excavation, shoring and foundation for a 13-storey mixed use building with four-storeys of underground parking, Le Groupe Brigil Construction
Comprehensive building permit data is available online from the City of Ottawa website.
