The value of permits for future construction in Spokane County more than doubled in March, but was flat for the first three months of the year, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, an industry publication.

Activity in Kootenai County increased in March and during the quarter.

Although non-residential construction for the quarter fell 48 percent to $19.1 million in Spokane, that decline was more than offset by an 81 percent jump in residential construction, to $39.8 million.

The 2010 total was $58.9 million, compared with $58.7 million for the first quarter of 2009.

In March, non-residential construction rose 59 percent to $12.2 million. Residential permits almost tripled, to $22.4 million.

Total construction permits for the month were worth $34.6 million. 

In Kootenai County, permit value climbed 61 percent in March, to $20 million. Non-residential permits increased 89 percent to $4 million, residential permits 55 percent to $16.1 milion.

Permits for the first quarter grew 59 percent to $42.5 million, with non-residential work more than tripling to $13.3 million, and residential 29 percent to $29.2 million.   

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