Lee building permits rise

FORT MYERS — Commercial builders pulled permits in Lee County valued at $9.4 million in July, nearly double the value in the same month last year.

Construction activity continues to show year-over-year improvement as the recovery takes hold, according to permit data from the Lee County Department of Community Development.

Builders also pulled permits to build 50 multifamily homes. That compares with 11 in July 2013.

Meanwhile, residential builders pulled 97 permits to build single-family homes in July. That's a 14% increase from the number they pulled in July 2013.