Monthly building permit fluctuations in Anchorage.(Alaska Trends for November 2006)

In a long-term perspective, building permit valuations in Anchorage rose significantly during the yearlong period from July 2005 until July 2006, with a dramatic spike in June 2006. The combined residential and commercial permits were valued at $76 million in July 2006, compared to just $42 million in July 2005. This represents a sharp increase of 81 percent in the past year.

However, despite the positive yearly increase, the monthly change shows a decrease in building permit valuations. Comparing commercial building permit valuations in June 2006 to july 2006 shows a significant decrease, as does a similar comparison of residential building permit valuations. The commercial permits were valued at $65 million in June 2006, compared with $58 million the following month, July 2006. This represents an almost unbelievable 70 percent decrease in just one month. Residential permits were valued at $28 million in June 2006 compared, with $18 million in July 2006. This represents a similar, though not quite as sharp, decrease of 20 percent in just one month. Considering the variances in building permit valuations in the past year, along with a large spike of activity during the month of June 2006, it is difficult to project what might happen next.

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