Building Permit Applications Up in Bronxville

Economic recovery, isolated and modest though it may be, still has Bronxville mayor Mary Marvin hopeful.

According to Marvin, building permits are up in the Village of Bronxville. In her July 19 column, she wrote, "...the number of building permit applications received through June 30th is up from 65 in the same period in 2009 to 84, or a 29% increase. The estimated value of this construction is $12 million vs. $5.3 million last year. In addition, sales tax revenue in Westchester County is up 2% from last year's level."

What does this mean? Instead of purchasing new homes, are people making major renovations and staying put in their current home? Or maybe they hope to sweeten the pot and get a better sale price on the market. Are these commercial projects with hopes of jobs to follow?

According to US Census statistics, building permits for residential construction across the state of New York were down an astounding 64.5% in 2009 to 18,344 from 51,637 in 2008. In fact, New York led the nation with the steepest drop in applications that year, although most of last year's downturn was concentrated in New York City.

"Since October 2008, things have been depressed," said Bronxville Village Administrator Harold Porr.

However, he is hopeful that the recent uptick in building permits and housing sales is an indicator of shifting trends.

"It's a harbinger of recovery," he said.

Most of the building permit applications filed are for residential improvements.

Porr could not say whether the work currently underway was for homeowners making improvements for themselves or to increase values for sale. He did note the upcoming renovation at Lawrence Hospital. 

"These are good signs," Poor said.