CLIPBOARD : Non-Residential Building Valuations

Commercial construction in Orange County continues in a comparative slump. During the first quarter of 1991, the value of permits issued reached just $212 million, 26% less than the comparable figure for 1990.

Valuations for industrial buildings, hotels/motels and stores/mercantile buildings were all off the 1990 pace by at least 60%, offsetting the small gains made in permits issued for office buildings and alterations and additions.

Orange County is not alone in this slump, however. The four contiguous counties--Los Angeles (-15%), Riverside (-22%), San Bernardino (-21%) and San Diego (-27%)--are all running behind their 1990 totals as well. The statewide total is down 19%.

Of all the commercial construction permits issued during the first quarter in the local five-county area, 15% were for Orange County projects; 9% of the value of all permits issued statewide occurred here.

Here’s how the first three months of 1991 compare to last year:

1991 % of Jan.-March Jan.-March 1990-1991 5-County Building Type 1990 1991 % Change Total Industrial $28,603 $10.023 -65 6 Office 48,109 53,199 +11 27 Stores/Mercantile 41,176 16,622 -60 9 Hotels/Motels 11,292 1,211 -89 1 Alterations/Additions 94,946 98,990 +4 17 TOTAL BUILDING* $288,257 $212,067 -26 15

1991 % of State Building Type Total Industrial 4 Office 16 Stores/Mercantile 5 Hotels/Motels 1 Alterations/Additions 9 TOTAL BUILDING* 9

Note: Amounts listed in thousands of dollars, not adjusted for inflation. * Includes the above categories plus others not shown. Source: Construction Industry Research Board