Major project boosts apartment construction sector

FORT MYERS — The economic recovery and employment growth is spurring construction of apartments in Lee County, according to a tally of permits for new construction in August.

Construction firms pulled permits for 136 multifamily homes in August, according to the Lee County Community Development Department. That compares with 12 units in August 2014. A significant new project in August was a 120-unit Estero Oaks development near the intersection of Estero and Three Oaks parkways.

General construction permits also posted an increase in August. The department reported the value of the 18 permits builders pulled in August were worth $11.9 million. That compares with $7.2 million in the same month one year ago.

Residential activity remained stable in August compared with the same month in 2014. Builders pulled 81 permits to build single-family homes in August compared with 85 in August 2014.