PRAIRIE GROVE -- Permits for new houses in Prairie Grove have steadily increased the past four years and now the city appears to be on track to break its record for the number of new housing permits issued during a single year.
The record was set in 2005 when the city issued 118 permits for single family homes.
Through the middle of April, Prairie Grove already has given out 51 permits for new houses. Houses are being constructed in about seven subdivisions by nine different builders.
If the trend continues for the rest of the year, it would represent the most homes ever built in the city in one year, said Larry Oelrich, director of administrative services and public works, in the city's April newsletter.
In 2005, housing starts included 118 single family homes, eight duplexes, a four-plex and a six-plex development, for a total of 144 dwelling units.
The city is currently on pace to hit 154 dwelling units for 2016, Oelrich said.
So far this year, Prairie Grove has issued five permits for new single family houses in January, 24 in February, 13 in March and 14 in April.
Builders include Clement Homes, Trademark Home, Rausch Coleman, Cox Development, Pick-It Construction, Jerry Coyle Enterprises, Tip Top Construction and Summit Homes. New homes are being built in Sundowner Estates, Battlefield, Prairie Meadows, Belle Meade, Grand View, Stone Crest and Highland Greene.
According to city records, single family homes being built this year are ranging in size from 1,250 heated square feet on Crawford to 3,003 heated square feet on Collins. Most of the homes have from 1,500 to 1,900 heated square feet.
Permits for new houses in Prairie Grove have steadily increased from 25 in 2012, to 40 in 2013, 63 in 2014 and 87 for 2015. The lowest number of permits in the past 10 years occurred in 2011, when the city issued 22 permits for new single family homes.
General News on 04/27/2016