If you’ve heard a lot of hammering and sawing lately, it’s not just remodeling and repairs in the wake of the June flood.

New construction has been fairly robust in the Corridor from June 1, 2008, through June 1 of this year, according to building permit records and area contractors.

Cedar Rapids issued building permits for 304 new single-family homes during the period, compared with 317 between June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008. Iowa City recorded 101 building permits for new single-family homes over the last year, compared with 127 the prior fiscal year. Coralville issued 68 permits for new single-family homes, compared with 27 the prior fiscal year.

Commercial construction in Cedar Rapids during that same time frame is down slightly to 23 projects compared to 29 permits. Iowa City issued five commercial building permits compared with two, and Coralville issued four compared with eight.

The new $543 million Archer Daniels Midland ethanol plant under construction in southwest Cedar Rapids accounted for a majority of the 28 permits for new industrial projects issued between June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008. Over the last year, seven permits were issued by Cedar Rapids for new industrial construction, including the $26 million Diamond V Mills plant at 60th Avenue and 26th Street SW.

Iowa City officials have issued seven building permits for industrial projects in the last year, compared with eight between June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008.

Ground was broken in April for the new $182 million federal courthouse in downtown Cedar Rapids. The project is expected to create hundreds of construction jobs.

Some flooded businesses have either built new structures or additions.

United Fire Group, which sustained heavy damage in downtown Cedar Rapids, has begun construction of a three-story parking ramp at Second Avenue SE and First Street SE that will accommodate more than 250 vehicles. It is also remodeling the exterior of the adjacent building.

Per Mar Security demolished its heavily damaged building at 510 First St. SW shortly after the flood. The Davenport company recently completed a new building on the same site.

In Coralville, Hardee’s owner Lee Staak demolished his restaurant at 107 Second St. and constructed a new building that is 2 feet higher than its predecessor. Staak went with a new design that emphasizes drive-up traffic, reduces indoor seating and has an exterior more typical of a casual dining restaurant.

In Palo, owners Dan and Megan Diehm added a new entrance and checkout area at Cedar River Garden Center.

“We wanted to create a new entrance before the flood and this gave us the opportunity to do it,” Dan Diehm said.

Across the road, Mark Ralston demolished and rebuilt his Palo Mini Mart after 3 feet of water flooded the convenience store at 1204 First St. Ralston recently expanded the building to house a sporting goods store.

Brad Kiburz, vice president of marketing at Rinderknecht & Associates, said his company has stayed busy since the June flood.

“We’re going like gangbusters at All Saints Church,” Kiburz said. “We’re committed to having the school addition done by the start of school. We’re also finishing up the new Echo Hill Presbyterian Church (on C Avenue NE north of Boyson Road NE).”

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