Houston construction permits show big drop in June

The value of Houston construction permits in the first half of 2019 is running ahead of last years midyear total, despite a drop in June, a new report showed. The total value of building permits in Houston fell by nearly 40 percent in June compared to the year earlier, with residential projects showing the biggest decline, according to a Greater Houston Partnership report based on City of Houston data. Building permits totaled $388 million in June, a 38.7 percent drop from the $633 million in June 2018. The value of residential permits fell by 57.4 percent year over year to $129 million in June, while commercial permits dropped by 21.6 percent to $259 million for the month. Several big projects were permitted in June, including the expansion and renovation of St. Martin's Episcopal campus in Tanglewood $44.2 million permit value; the Houston Spaceport infrastructure project at Ellington Airport; and McDermott's new headquarters at 915 N. Eldridge Parkway in west Houston $9.8 million.