Fort Myers boosts building department staff

FORT MYERS — In another sign of an improving construction market, the Lee Building Industry Association reported that the Fort Myers City Council has agreed to hire 11 people to beef up its building-permit staff.

At the height of the construction boom in 2005 and 2006, the city's building-permit staff totaled 55 full-time employees. In the downturn, that number fell to 19 employees.

However, the number of building permits has surged recently because of the economic recovery. Since 2010, permit activity has risen 40%, according to the city's staff report.

Because the staff is too lean to handle the increased workload, the city says it is experiencing delays in plan reviews. For example, commercial construction reviews are taking 24 days when the target is 21 days.