August building permits report

GAINESVILLE - New home construction increased in Gainesville and Hall County last month compared to the month before.

In the city, eleven permits were okayed for new, single-family housing, compared to five in July. The houses are expected to cost almost $2.2 million.

Meantime, in unincorporated parts of the county, 94 permits were approved - ten more than in July. Construction costs for those homes is put at nearly $16.5 million.

The big showing in the city was made in the commercial category, where a $7.5 million parking garage was okayed along with $22 million worth of public works and utilities construction.