Riverview had $33M worth of building permits in 2023

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The Town of Riverview says it issued a total of 145 building permits in 2023, representing over $33 million in residential, commercial and institutional construction.

In a news release, Riverview said residential construction led the way with $22 million in permits. It said 49 permits were for new housing projects valued at over $11 million, and another 11 permits were awarded for new multi-residential projects valued at over $11.8 million.

“Since 2018, more than 1,000 housing units were approved for building permits in Riverview, with almost 75 per cent of these representing multi-residential units, townhouses, or rowhouses – a testament to the growing demand for varied housing types across the continuum in response to the town’s changing demographic profile,” the news release said.

Riverview is New Brunswick’s largest town with a population of just over 20,000.

“A recent Housing Needs Assessment and Affordable Housing Strategy presented to Council, predicted the share of dwellings in Riverview accounted for by apartments to increase in the coming years,” Mayor Andrew J. LeBlanc said in the news release. “As more newcomers choose to put down roots and raise families in town, we need to adapt and be open to evolving housing solutions if we are to continue to be a welcoming, sustainable, and thriving community.”

There were more than 10 commercial projects worth over $9.2 million in 2023, nearly tripling the number from 2022.

“We know Riverview is a prime location for small and medium enterprises, as the town is home to over 1,000 registered entrepreneurs and businesses,” said Colin Smith, Riverview’s Chief Administrative Officer. “We’re a small town with big opportunities; some of the most highly demanded industries identified for Riverview through research are healthcare services, restaurants and coffee shops, and tourism accommodations. We hope to see the local business community seize these prospects.” 

The town said it has economic development, urban planning and community engagement resources ready to work with businesses for development and expansion plans, “and we look forward to working with entrepreneurs and developers to explore these opportunities in 2024 to continue to meet the needs of our residents and visitors.”