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City of Ell< River 2004 Annual Report BUILDING & ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Elk River. We will achieve quality service through clear communications, remaining current and providing assistance in a timely manner. YEAR IN REVIEW BUILDING ACTIVITIES Single Family-There were 30 I single-family home starts in Elk River during 2004 with an average valuation of $188,376 (excluding the price of the lot). In 2003 there were 285 new homes built in Elk River with an average valuation of $187,727. The peak valuation for houses in Elk River was $195,717 in 2002. An estimated cost per square foot provided by the state is used to figure valuation. The city has not changed the estimated cost per square foot figures since 2000; so the decrease in the average valuation over the past two years reflects smaller houses being built. Multifamily-The market for town homes and condominiums remains strong in the city and staff expects the demand for this type of housing to remain steady into the near future. With land prices in Elk River ever-increasing, the "retired people looking to forgo yard work" market for town homes is being supplemented by the starter home market because they are typically more affordable than a traditional single family home. During 2004 there were 235 townhome and condominium units and 12 twin home units built as compared to 229 town home units and 36 twinhome units in 2003. Apartments-No apartment units were built in 2004. Pullman Place, which is a three-story building that has the appearance of an apartment, is actually a condominium where the units are individually owned. Two thousand four is the last year that the Building Department will be responsible for the city's yearly apartment inspection and licensing program. Starting in 2005 this program will be the responsibility of the Fire Department. Elk River currently has 53 apartment buildings with a total of 1,148 units. Commercial/Industrial/Institutional (CII)- The valuation of commercial, industrial, and institutional construction increased in 2004, rising to $22,342,242 as compared to $7, 100,808 in 2003. An addition to the Sherburne County Jail accounted for about $15,900,000 of the valuation in 2004. PermitsNaluation-Overall, construction activity remained high posting similar numbers to the city's previous record year in 2003. In 2004 the total valuation of construction set a new high at $120,729,413 with 4,068 permits. In 2003 the total valuation of construction was $97,994,046 with 4,476 permits being pulled. Some examples of how the Building and Environmental Department is coping with the increase demand for its services include hiring an additional building inspector, mobile computers in vehicles, and combining certain inspections.