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The Kenai Peninsula construction boom of the 1980s has declined this decade, tapering in 1997 to a few scattered housing permits and a sprinkling of multimillion-dollar projects currently under construction.
"Its a little early to say what construction will be like this year," said Bob Springer, building official for the City of Kenai. "My prediction is that construction will be pretty mediocre again this year."
According to Springer, Kenai has had only a handful of residential construction permit requests. Two permits were issued for reconstruction, two other permits were issued to rebuild a burned home and another for a burned four-plex. Only three home permits have been issued and construction is under way.
Springer said new home permits are down considerably since the city has very few lots available on developed land with utilities access. Undeveloped land is plentiful, but developers do not want to pay out of pocket to lay utilities -- a price tag of $30,000 to $100,000 -- for something the city already has...