Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Buildings keep going up in Houghton County. During last night’s commission meeting, Building Department Manager Todd LaRoux provided the board with its annual update. 2023 continues a consecutive streak of years in which the building department approved more permits than the last. In 2023 the department approved a total of 425 building permits, about 25 more than in 2022.
“It was a total of 425 building permits. And 39 in 2022. The total cost of construction was $77,383,211 in 2023. Compared to $46,127,546 in 2022. ” – Todd LaRoux, Build Department Manager, Houghton County
117 of those permits became new homes in the county. In 2023 new homes accounted for ten more approved permits than in 2022. Last year also set and new record for homes built since the department began keeping track in 2017. Looking into this year Laroux adds some large projects will start.
“It started in late fall. It’s gonna be a 60,000-square-foot building for Calumet Electronics. That foundation is at least 80 percent in. And all of the interior pins and pads are in. And I asked them when they were going to finish up. And they figured by the end of January they’ll be complete with the foundation. And steel is to arrive sometime in March.” – Todd LaRoux, Build Department Manager, Houghton County
Other large commercial projects taking place in 2024 according to LaRoux include a new LJJ H3 Apartment building. The Keweenaw Co-Op move to downtown Hancock should finish during 2024. As well as a UHAUL development that will include climate-controlled and traditional storage containers.
