Lawrence builders started 2003 on a stronger note than 2002, according to a recent report by city officials.

City building inspectors issued permits for $10.8 million worth of projects in January, up from the $6.8 million issued in January 2002. The number, however, was down from the $15.2 million in projects started in December.

January also represented the third strongest start for Lawrence builders in the past 15 years. Lawrence builders started $13.95 million in projects in 2001 and $13.7 million in 1995.

Construction of new businesses helped boost this year’s totals. City officials issued permits for $6.6 million in business construction projects during the month.

The largest project was a $3.2 million building for NCS Pearson in the East Hills Business Park.

The construction is for a previously announced 45,000-square-foot expansion to NCS’ existing facility. The expansion is expected to add 150 jobs. Company officials expect the project to be complete by late summer.

Other large commercial construction projects started in January:

l A $1.3 million retail center at Ninth and Iowa streets at the former site of Total Fitness Athletic Center;

l $1 million in renovation work on the former Alvamar Racquet & Swim Club, 4120 Clinton Parkway, which will be the new home of Bishop Seabury Academy;

l A $462,000 warehouse and office building at 1400 N. Third St., which the owners of Lawrence Decorating Service are building to lease.

The number of new homes built in January also was up from a year ago. Last month, builders started 20 new single-family homes compared to 15 in 2001.

The number, however, is down from 32 in December.