A significant spike in non-residential building construction in Windsor.
$85-million worth of investments was made during the second quarter of this year, an increase of 17.2% compared to the $72-million posted in the first quarter of 2017.
That's also up 53.8% compared to the $55-million recorded during the second quarter of 2016.
According to Statistics Canada, investment in non-residential building construction across Canada totalled $12.4 billion in the second quarter, up 0.3% from the previous quarter.
Windsor's chief building official, John Revell, says it's not a single major project, but about a dozen medium sized ones that's causing struggles for his department to keep up with the demand.
"I think it taxes the entire industry across the city in terms of various consultants and construction companies as well we're at and a little bit beyond capacity here," says Revell. "The industry is also finding delays with their own consultants in getting things designed and and getting it to us for a permit. The challenge is especially with schools is that they're trying to orient construction with the academic seasons.
Among the larger projects is the $15-million ENWIN underground reservoir, a new $7.3-million school on Chandler, the $6.1-million Greek Orthodox church and community centre on Walker and the $4.1-million Metro store at Devonshire Mall.