The city of Chadron issued 4 fewer building permits last year than in 2011, but the valuation of those projects was $1.6-million dollars higher.

Zoning and Building Officer Janet Johnson says the 33 permits issued in 2012 had a total valuation of nearly $4.7-million dollars…reflecting some big projects including the Rangeland Center at Chadron State College,

The 33 permits was the smallest number issued in the past 5 years and 14 fewer than in 2010…the peak year in that period…but the total valuation was over 3 times that of any other year except 2011.

Chadron has zoning jurisdiction for the immediate 2-mile area outside the city limits, but Johnson says there was virtually no new construction there last year with just 4 permits issued. Two were for commercial structures…one at the Ridgeview Country Club and one for a diesel shop…with two others for home garages.

Looking ahead to this year, Johnson is expecting good construction numbers with several architects and builders talking about commercial buildings and some stick-built single-family homes.

The valuation of building permits should also jump again this year with the planned start of construction on two more multi-million dollar projects at Chadron State College: the Eagle Ridge housing development and the renovation and expansion of the Armstrong Building.