Jan 5, 2005
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Gibbs, Lee County Community Development
              (239) 479-8345

COUNTY: $3 BILLION IN PERMITTING IN 2004/$1 BILLION INCREASE FROM 2003/DECEMBER AN ALL-TIME RECORD MONTH

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 5, 2005) - Permitting value in Lee County experienced another record increase in 2004, surging a whopping $1 billion to hit the $3 billion mark, according to annual data released today by the county's Community Development Department.

Last year total permit value was $2 billion; in 2002 it was $1.5 billion.

Additionally, December was an all-time record month for the issuance of single-family permits at 698. In December, more than $300 million of permits were issued.

For 2004, single-family home permits increased 48 percent from 4,802 to 7,124 and multi-family home permits (apartments, duplexes and condos) rose 35% from 4,165 to 5,625.

The activity is for unincorporated Lee County, the City of Bonita Springs and the Town of Fort Myers Beach. Both Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach contract with the county to do their permitting services.

"The hurricane has not slowed us down," said Mary Gibbs, county Community Development Director. "The record pace of building activity has continued. We're pleased we were able to continue to provide quality service to the building industry and residents of the community, given the pace of activity."

Annual totals for the last nine years are (total values include all other construction, including commercial):

• 2004 - Single Family (7,124), Multi-Family (5,625), Total Value ($3,028,496,807)
• 2003 - S.F. (4,802), M.F. (4,165), T.V. ($1,969,276,120)
• 2002 - S.F. (3,763), M.F. (2,872), T.V. ($1,483,203,935)
• 2001 - S.F. (3,565), M.F. (3,765), T.V. ($1,533,532,447)
• 2000 - S.F. (3,053), M.F. (3,814), T.V. ($1,375,370,432)
• 1999 - S.F. (2,876), M.F. (2,772), T.V. ($1,075,174,580)
• 1998 - S.F. (2,433), M.F. (3,088), T.V. ($975,046,849)
• 1997 - S.F. (2,252), M.F. (2,498), T.V. ($1,022,062,818)
• 1996 - S.F. (2,536), M.F. (1,968), T.V. ($747,081,850)

Lee County Community Development oversees planning, zoning, and development services such as permitting, development review, code enforcement and building inspections in the unincorporated areas of the county and for Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach. It employs 233 people and has a fiscal year 2005 operating budget of $23.4 million.

To learn more about the department and its services, visit http://www.lee-county.com/dcd/.

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