Thanks to building permits issued earlier this year for the new Super Wal-Mart and the Freeborn County Courthouse expansion project, the total valuations reported by the city of Albert Lea Inspection Department now exceed $40 million for the first seven months of the year.

The city’s latest report shows there were 55 building permits issued during July with a valuation of $1,870,834. This increases the total valuation thus far in 2003 to $40,932,695.

At the end of July 2002, the city report shows a total valuation of $5,948,745 for permits issued.

Two permits were issued during July to the Albert Lea Medical Center. One is for $477,000 for MRI room remodeling at 404 Fountain St. The other permit with a valuation of $130,000 for office remodeling at 210 N. St. Mary Ave.

Murphy Oil Co. was issued a permit with a valuation of $215,000 for a &uot;gas station, canopy and two tanks&uot; at 1530 Blake Ave. This station is being erected near the new Wal-Mart.

Three permits for single-family dwellings and a permit for a four-plex on Highview Trail were issued by the city during July. This increases the number of new living units within the city limits to 14 for the year, compared with the permits for 10 units issued during the first seven months of 2002.

Building permits for six new homes and eight home additions were issued by the Freeborn County Planning and Zoning Office during July.

The county’s July report, covering properties outside the city of Albert Lea, shows that 30 permits with an estimated valuation of $1,152,214 were issued. This increases the total estimated valuation for county permits to $6,319,145 for the first seven months of the year.