The building permit for the long-awaited Rockdale Estates & Rehabilitation, an 84-bed nursing home, was issued in July, lifting 2018 to Rockdale’s No. 2 year all time in permit totals.
July total, obviously buoyed by the $5,580,000 permit for the new nursing home, were $5,612,777.
That brings the seven-month total to $10,968,126.
Obviously, 97 percent of that total ($10,670,413) is in two huge projects, the nursing home and the $5,388,126 permit issued for the new Tiger Field in May.
What about the new police station? That $3,512,471 permit was issued last year and was reflected in the 2017 total.
Rockdale’s No. 1 year remains 2008 when permits totaled $30,877,029.
That’s the year in which the Rockdale ISD obtained permits to renovate and expand the high school and construct a new intermediate school.
Ironically, the new nursing home is being built on a tract adjacent to that intermediate school, sold to developers by the Rockdale ISD.
Until this July, Rockdale’s No. 2 year had been 2006 with $9,220,773.
The year included permits for a new Rockdale Federal Credit Union building and a new city sewer plant.
NURSING HOME—On July 12 ground was broken for the new nursing home with owners Laurie Kunka and Michael Bumpass.
They said the new facility will replace the current Renaissance Villa on Dyer Street and will initially employ about 100 persons.
Renaissance Villa employs about 45.
Builder Michael Smith said the facility will be 43,000 square feet and should be complete by summer 2019.
Bumpass said the nursing home will be constructed to have the capability to add additional beds when required.
Fifty-six residents of Rockdale Residence & Rehabilitation (the former Manor Oaks) on FM 4887 were displaced when that facility closed in 2004.
JULY—Two other building permits were issued during July as follows:
• Shamsher Gill, roof, 402 East Cameron.
• Aqua Marine Pools of Texas, swimming pool, 712 Miller.
Permits are issued at City Hall and reflect only construction within the city limits.
No activities connected with Bitmain at the site of the former Alcoa Operations smelter will be reflected in building permits as that site is well outside the city limits of Rockdale.
However, Bitmain, and perhaps associated industries are expected to have far-reaching consequences for Rockdale.
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