The City of Salem issued building permits totaling nearly $22.3-million in 2024. The huge jump from prior years is largely due to a permit issued for construction of a new 500-acre solar farm near the intersection of Hoots Chapel and West Boone Street that has a small part in the city. Equipment is currently being mobilized for the project that will include the installation of 300,000 panels to supply electricity to 20,000 homes. An average of 200 will be involved in the construction over the next year and a half.
There were several other large projects as well. Conant Development was issued a $1,850,000 permit for a new apartment complex on Airport Road. Wabash Communications was issued a $1.2-million permit for their new office and warehouse facility at South College and West Whitaker Street. The city also issued a $ 705,000 permit for construction of Scooters Coffee on West Main Street. The city also issued a $1-million permit for a ground solar project in the 1300 block of West Main and a $137,000 solar project in the 1100 block of South Broadway. General Contractors was issued a $136,000 permit for a new storage building.
The City also saw a growth in new homes over the past several years with four permits issued for homes totaling $770,000. The homes are located on North Point Drive, in the 500 block of West Warmoth, and 500 block of North College. The fourth was a permit for a long home in the 1400 block of South College. There were six residential additions totaling $109,700. Permits were issued for 24 residential assessory projects including 18 for sheds valued at $145,239.
The City issued a total of $302,654 in building permits for the year.
