Building permits issued by the Albert Lea Inspection Department more than doubled in 2010 from 2009.

As of Dec. 31, 2010, the city issued 795 permits with a total estimated valuation of $13,891,287. This compared to 379 issued in 2009, with a total estimated valuation of $13,736,735.

According to Jennifer Nelson of the Albert Lea Inspection Department, the doubling of permits was in large part due to two major storms that hit the area last summer. She said 431 permits issued in 2010 were for commercial and residential roof repairs due to damages from the tornadoes on June 17 and hail storm that hit shortly thereafter.

Nelson said the total estimated valuations on roof repairs alone in 2010 was $3,406,481.

In Dec. 2010, one permit was issued by the city for a new single-family dwelling in Tiger Hills Development. Twenty more were issued in residential living units for alterations, additions and/or repairs in residential units.

The city issued one permit for repairs in a commercial zone.

The Freeborn County Planning and Zoning office issued 13 permits in December, with a total estimated valuation of permits issued in December totaling $180,589.

This was down from 28 permits in November, with a total estimated valuation of $863,009.

As the weather gets colder and holidays approach, December is generally a slower time for building projects to move ahead, both county and citywide.

One permit was issued Dec. 2 to Oakland Lutheran Church for a roof shingling project, with an estimated valuation of $10,000.

Three permits were issued to Michael, Renate and Vincent Lamb on Dec. 8, for demolition of Main Street buildings in Emmons, with a total estimated value of $37,800.

The total estimated valuation of permits issued by the county for the entire year 2010 was $13,524,613.

This was down from the estimated valuation of permits issued by the county in 2009, which totaled $23,836,769.