PRAIRIE GROVE -- The city of Prairie Grove broke its record in 2016 for the number of building permits issued for single family homes during a calendar year.
The previous record was set 11 years ago in 2005, when the city issued 118 permits for single family homes.
Through the middle of December, Prairie Grove has issued 138 building permits for single family homes. New homes have been built this year in all seven subdivisions in the city, according to Larry Oelrich, director of administrative services and public works.
According to building permit records, homes in Prairie Grove in 2016 have ranged from 1,250 square feet up to 4,000 square feet. Construction is estimated to have cost more than $9 million, said Oelrich.
Oelrich said he believes Prairie Grove is attracting new residents because lots are available at an affordable price.
"We've become a perfect location for people commuting to Fayetteville and Springdale," he said, noting most people in northwest Arkansas do not seem to mind driving 30 minutes to commute to work.
Mayor Sonny Hudson has said on numerous occasions that Prairie Grove would be ready to grow when the housing market turned around because the infrastructure was in place for new houses.
"All it would take was for a builder to buy the lots and build," Hudson said. "Now we're having people talk about putting in new subdivisions."
Trademark Homes of Farmington currently has 35 houses either under construction or recently completed in Prairie Grove, according to Caitlyn Akins with Trademark Homes.
For 2016, Trademark Homes has pulled more than 50 building permits for single family homes, the most of any company. Other firms that are building new homes in Prairie Grove include Pick-It Construction, Coyle Enterprises, Cox Development and Rausch Coleman Homes.
Prairie Grove is attracting new residents, Akins said, because there's undeveloped land available and because people are able to get more for their money.
Another reason people are moving to Prairie Grove, she said, is that Farmington does not have much land available so people are looking further west for homes to buy.
The majority of Trademark's homes in Prairie Grove are built to sell or rent, Akins said.
"Generally, we are getting offers within four-six weeks," she added.
According to city records, the city issued the most building permits during the month of February. The city issued 24 permits in February, 15 in September, 14 in June and 13 permits in March, May, July and November.
New housing construction also is affecting revenue for the city and population growth, Oelrich said.
For 2016, the city projected to collect $75,000 in building permit fees but instead has taken in more than $140,000.
The city's population for the 2010 U.S. census was 4,360 and then adjusted in 2014 to 4,420 because of an annexation along U.S. Highway 62. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Prairie Grove's population grew to 5,186 in 2015 and Oelrich said city officials now believe Prairie Grove's population has increased to 5,500 based on housing starts the past 18 months.
The record for the number of total building permits issued during a calendar year for all residential units still stands. In addition to permits for 118 single-family houses in 2005, Prairie Grove also issued permits for 26 duplex and multi-family units for a total of 144 permits that year.
For 2016, Prairie Grove has not received any requests for permits to build duplexes or multi-family units.
General News on 12/28/2016