Midlothian Leads Region in New Home Construction

Sept. 13, 2010 - PRLog -- Date:  September 10, 2010

   The City of Midlothian has continued to see success in its residential impact fee abatement program, with a single-family construction growth rate eclipsing all other Ellis County communities.
   In January 2010, the City of Midlothian suspended impact fees required for single family house construction during a 12 month period.  The program has lowered the cost of constructing a new home in Midlothian by as much as $5,209.
   Forty-two percent of all new single-family home construction starts in Ellis County during the month of July were in Midlothian, according to Midlothian City Manager Don Hastings.
   “The impact fee abatement program has contributed greatly to our city’s achievements in increasing market share of single-family homes,” said Hastings. “Based on the rates of new home construction throughout the region, we can point to this program as a key element in the growth of quality housing in our community.”
   Creating a positive environment for single-family home construction was a goal embraced by the City of Midlothian Council members Bill Houston and Steve Massey in the fall of 2009.
   “In a recessionary economic climate, our new home construction fell to 108 total starts in 2009,” said Councilman Houston. “As of July 31, the city has already issued  106 single family building permits, putting us on pace to reach 180 by the end of 2010.”

   “The estimated average value of new single-family home construction has risen nearly five percent over last year,” Houston noted.  “This gain reinforces our initiatives toward ‘quality growth’ that builds value in the community as a whole, and reflects our commitment to creating an environment attractive to families and businesses interested in a higher quality of life.”
   Earlier this year, the City of Midlothian was honored with the Spotlight Award presented by the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association,  presented annually to a community whose policies and actions reflect an innovative approach to providing for the housing needs of the entire community.  
   For more information regarding the Midlothian Impact Fee Abatement Program please contact City Manager Don Hastings at 972-775-7195. For information regarding presentations to chambers or home builders associations, contact Paula Baucum, (214) 282-6460.