Lawrence construction is off to its slowest start since 1997.

In the first five months of 2002, Lawrence builders started projects valued at $42.89 million, down from a value of $72.22 million during the same period in 2001, according to city building permit records.

The Sheridan's Frozen Custard building project, at the location of the former Hardee's, 23rd and Iowa streets, was one of the largest construction projects that began in May. Louis Guerra, Kansas City, Kan., at left, with Wagner Construction, works at the site. Workers expect the building to be complete by mid-July.

But the pace is picking up.

Builders began $12.62 million worth of projects in May, the highest monthly total so far in 2002. The monthly total, though, was still less than May 2001, when builders began $17.97 million worth of projects.

Part of the decline can be attributed to a slowdown in single family and duplex housing starts. For the year, Lawrence builders have started construction of 119 single family homes and 40 duplexes, down from 143 and 95 respectively during the first five months of 2001.

In May, builders began work on 36 new single family homes, the highest monthly total of the year. Even that was less than the 46 single family homes builders began in May 2001.

J. Stewart, president of Lawrence’s Terravest Construction Co., said activity on some of his company’s lots, especially rural properties, had begun to pick up in the past 30 days, but otherwise had been slow for the year.

“As far as people calling about building unique, custom homes, our phones haven’t been ringing at all,” Stewart said. “I’d say the trend for both inquiries and sales has been quite a bit slower this year.”

Stewart blames a slowdown in both the national and Lawrence-area economies for creating a “soft market” for mid- to upper-end housing in the Lawrence area.

“We’ve had some layoffs in the area that have really slowed sales,” Stewart said.

	Here’s a look at the value of new construction projects started during the first five months of this year and previous years:2002: $42.89 million2001: $72.22 million2000: $54.95 million1999: $47.36 million1998: $54.79 million1997: $41.43 million

The number of new business buildings being built in the city also is down from 2001. City inspectors have issued 13 business building permits, four less than the 17 issued during the first five months of 2001. But there were two this May, and only one during May a year ago.

But the business category produced the largest building project in the city during May. Harris Construction began work in the 1100 block of West 11th Street on a new $1.5 million studio and office building for public radio station KANU.

Other large projects included:

A $1.2 million remodeling of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at 1 Gower Place.

A $250,000 remodeling of the former Hardee’s at 23rd and Iowa streets, which will become a Sheridan’s Frozen Custard store.

A $350,000 project by Wood Oil Co. at 920 N. Second St.

Construction crews began work in May on a $245,000 triplex project in the 1700 block of Brandonwood Drive. The project is only the second multifamily construction project in the city this year. Through May, builders have started work on two projects with a total of six living units. That’s down from 2001, when builders had begun work on six projects with a total of 127 living units.