Activity in Building Operations.
There has been a phenomenal increase in building operations at Tacoma amounting to no less than 855.8 per cent. in five years last past. The following is the official record of the building inspector, showing the number and estimated cost of dwellings and total building operations for which permits were issued during the last six years. The building inspector’s record does not cover a large amount of building in the immediate suburbs of Tacoma, for industrial and residence purposes.
| Twelve Mos. ending June | Dwellings. | Total Permits. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number. | Cost. | Number. | Cost. | |
| 1904 | 845 | $883,068 | 1,429 | $1,691,105 |
| 1903 | 620 | 665,895 | 1,043 | 1,543,755 |
| 1902 | 447 | 491,005 | 779 | 869,492 |
| 1901 | 251 | 316,640 | 652 | 692,156 |
| 1900 | 130 | 97,350 | 422 | 417,845 |
| 1899 | 74 | 51,195 | 371 | 176,934 |
Notwithstanding the investment of millions of dollars in Tacoma realty and improvements, the mortgage indebtedness shows no appreciable increase. In 1903, realty transfers reciting a consideration of $4,646,537, were recorded and permits were issued in the city of Tacoma for improvements estimated to cost $1,700,000. The net increase in the mortgage indebtedness, as shown by the record of mortgages and mortgage releases, was $169,655, or only 2.6 per cent. of the amount involved in real estate purchases and improvements.