Blaine buildings boom

By Meg Olson

Blaine is seeing a building boom in 2004, with close to a 70 percent increase in permits being approved by the city in the first three quarters of 2004 compared to the same period last year.

“For building starts we are currently at 85 new residential units and we are expecting that number to climb,” Blaine community and economic development director Terry Galvin told city council at their October 11 meeting. In the same period last year 54 permits for residential development were issued.
Galvin said most of the new development was for single family homes. “For the most part we’re going throug

end homes,” he said. Galvin added the new residential development was occurring in all parts of the city. “It’s pretty balanced,” he said. “We’re definitely starting to see an increase in east Blaine.”
Galvin said he would be briefing council on a concurrent increase in more substantial development at the October 25 meeting. “Our development permits are lining up for this level of activity to continue,” said city manager Gary Tomsic, adding “There are a number of proposals.” He added Blaine could also expect an increase in industrial and commercial development. “We’re going to be seeing more happening in the non-residential areas,” he said.