Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester homebuilders last month experienced their busiest month since last July. The City Building Safety Department says it issued 40 permits for new single-family homes worth almost $11-million. The total was up 15 from March but was 5 fewer than the total from April of last year.

Overall, the city approved 194 building permits worth almost $34.4 million in April. Another permit issued for the Discovery Square project along 4th Street Southwest was worth almost $13 million and accounted for over a third of the monthly valuation total. The next largest permit issued last month was for the new shopping center at the former Golden Hill School site that was valued at $3.5 million.

Since the beginning of the year, the City has issued 640 building permits worth over $147.5 million, which is slightly ahead of last year’s pace. New home construction activity is running nearly 30 units behind last year’s pace, but the harsh winter may have been a factor.

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