As part of their year in review for 2016, New London and Spicer took a look at their respective building permits for last year, and both had relatively good years.

In 2016, New London approved 98 building permits for a total valuation of $18 million, city administrator Trudie Guptill said. Of that, $15 million in valuation was for New London-Spicer schools, which is in the midst of a $21.635 million building project.

Also among the 98 building permits were nine new single-family homes and one twin home.

The city of Spicer, in 2016, approved 52 building permits for a total valuation of $7.5 million, City Administrator Leslie Valiant said. Of that, $4.8 million was for the 52-unit Hampton Inn, which currently is under construction.

Three building permits were for new home construction, including one home valued at $1.8 million.

The Spicer city council recently approved the preliminary plat for twin homes to be built in what had been the outlot at the city’s Lakeview Ridge development located off of 71st Street Northeast, near Woodcock Lake.

“The plan is for two twin homes, but we’ll start with one,” Valiant said.

The Spicer Economic Development Authority has a developer for the twin home project, she said. The design will be suitable for seniors because the twin home will be a single level, Valiant said.

The Spicer city council meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The New London city council meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.

Lakes Area Review by Dori Moudry, Editor