While it seems like the COVID-19 pandemic is reaching its end, its effects can still be felt on many businesses and areas around the world, including some of the departments of City Hall. While in previous years, during the pandemic, the Buildings Inspections Department has started building anywhere from three to six residential structures during the summer, but according to Building Official Greg Hefta, the Department has only delivered one new permit this summer. “The first year I was here, I think we had six residential structures that were either duplexes or new residential buildings,” Hefta explained. “In this year, I’ve only had one new one. I’ve heard rumors of several others, but I have not seen anything this summer, so it’s been a slow summer for new construction.” Hefta says while there have been some jobs where they’ve added new additions to residential structures, like decks, interior remodeling, windows, siding, and roofing, it’s not going to make up for the larger residential building construction that they’ve normally made. Hefta believes that with COVID-19 and rising prices for construction materials in the last two years, new summer residential construction has reached a low that hasn’t been seen since he first took the job.
While there are much fewer construction projects happening than usual, there are still a couple going on now in Crookston. Greg Hefta reports that one house had begun construction this spring in late April on the north side of town, on Nature Cove off of Barrette Street. Hefta says that they have started framing and setting the foundation’s footing for it, but they are a bit behind schedule due to the wet conditions in the spring, which made it difficult for them to get started. Hefta says that the standard period of time to complete framing is about six months, so it may not be until the fall or the early parts of the winter before they begin work on the interior finishes. The other building is south of Washington Avenue, which had started back in the fall of 2021 and has been delayed for various reasons but is now continuing work again.
Another thing that Building Inspector Hefta has noticed throughout the city is that many people have been building or posting fencing around their homes or businesses that have not purchased a permit from him or Buildings Inspections. “I’ve been noticing that there’s a lot of fencing that people have been not aware that a permit is required for fencing going up within the city limits of Crookston,” Hefta explained. “So please keep everyone aware that you have to have either a permit or at least coordinate with me so that I’m aware if it’s either new construction or maintenance for a fence, then I can check that the lot lines are correct for that individual residence.” Hefta says that he has confronted a few people about them in the past and that everyone will have to pay a permit for fencing, but in the worst-case scenario, they will take down the fence.
The Building Inspection Department is open for anyone looking to purchase a permit for any housing or property additions. If you wish to purchase a permit for any building project or fencing for your home, you can contact Building Official Greg Hefta at City Hall at 218-281-5713 or at ghefta@crookston.mn.us.
Pictures of the construction on Nature Cove can be seen below-
