Construction activity in Baltimore continued to be sluggish last month, according to a new report by the Baltimore Regional Council of Governments that shows declines in the number of building permits issued.
The most dramatic drop in permits was seen in the non-residential sector, the report found. Non-residential permits were valued at $8.1 million last month, an 86 percent drop from November 1990's $58 million total. Last month's showing was the worst for the area in a decade and far below the November average of $43 million.
Residential permit activity also continued to lag. The report said 927 housing units were authorized for construction in November, a 6 percent drop from the previous November's total of 985 units. Permits for about 10,000 housing units have been issued so far this year, 21 percent fewer than had been issued by this time last year.