Weather spurs building rebound

A warm winter led to more building activity in the unincorporated areas of Whitman County during the first quarter of 2010.

The quarterly report filed by Dan Gladwill, county building official, listed 48 permits issued during the first three months of 2010, nearly double the amount issued during the same period 2009.

Gladwill said the 2009 first quarter total of 26 permits was an abnormal dip because of the heavy snowfall. In the first quarter 2008, Gladwill issued 45 permits. From 2005 to 2008, he issued an average of 43.25 permits over the first quarter.

Gladwill presented his report to county commissioners at their regular meeting Monday.

While most of the permits issued were for improvement projects, five were issued for new homes.

Total assessed value for permitted projects was $2,273,171.