Commercial permits grow five-fold

FORT MYERS — The value of commercial construction permits in Lee County grew five-fold in February to $5 million compared with the same month one year ago, according to the Lee County Department of Community Development.

Commercial construction is starting to recover from the downturn on the heels of a recovery in housing. Typically, commercial construction lags residential building by one to two years, builders say.

In addition to the rise in commercial permits, builders pulled permits for 82 single-family homes in Lee County in February. That's a 17% increase over the number they pulled in February 2013.

Also in February, builders pulled permits for 24 multifamily homes, down 14% from the 28 they pulled in the same month in 2013.