In 1999, the city issued 46 permits for new single-family residences, eight for multi-family residences and three for commercial buildings, according to Linda Lewis, city clerk.

Comparatively, city administrator Chris Eppley said that in 1997, the city issued 33 residential building permits.

“But in 1998, we basically ran out of building lots,” Eppley said. “Lots dwindled to nine and we basically ate up the rest of the lots in the community.”

New land annexed into the city in 1999 encompassed 254 acres, much of which is zoned for housing development.

“Growth in 1999 was a tremendous increase over what we have done previously,” Lewis said. “It only looks like it’s going to continue, given the amount of land annexed by the city and the number of plats that have been laid out.”

At the south end of Tonganoxie, new homes are cropping up.

Jim Christian, one of five owners of the 40-acre Eagle Valley subdivision, said business is booming. Of the 43 lots designated for single-family residences, all but seven have been sold.

“There are 20 to 23 new-house starts around here,” Christian said.

This is only the first phase of development, Christian said.

“We’re planning to start the second phase, which will hold approximately another 40 lots, south of this,” he said.

Christian said he is currently building five single-family residences and five duplexes on the lots he owns, and he plans to build five more duplexes.

The houses that Christian is building feature two-car garages, three bedrooms, a fireplace and two bathrooms. Homes on basements are plumbed for future bathrooms. The prices will vary, depending on the size and structure, he said.

“I’m hoping the price of the five homes being built will range from $134,000 to $149,000, roughly,” he said.

So far, only one of the homes he is building has sold, Christian said. But that’s not a surprise, he said.

“Almost all of the houses in this development are being built on spec,” Christian said. “Everybody is banking on a spring market.”

He’s not worried about finding buyers.

“I expect it to do real well, with people moving in from Lawrence and Kansas City,” he said.

Jeff Perry, JTG Construction, Lawrence, said he purchased 10 lots in Eagle Valley and currently is constructing four homes.

“We’ve got all different floor plans, from 1,400 square feet on slabs to 1,500 square feet with full basement,” Perry said, “We also have bi-levels.”

The houses on slabs may sell for $114,000, he said, and those with full basements may sell in the $145,000 to $150,000 range, Perry said.

The fact that none of his houses has sold yet doesn’t seem to dampen his enthusiasm.

“There’s a lot of people showing interest,” Perry said. “My experience is that houses sell better after they’re finished. This is the slow time of year. Sales usually pick up in late March.”

One thing that might put a hitch in everyone’s plans is the availability of workers, Perry said.

“Everybody is having a labor shortage now,” Perry said. “It’s hard to get people who want to work.”

The situation is so tough that work might even be available on-the-spot.

“Laborers don’t need much experience to be hired,” Perry said. “If they come up here looking for a job, there’s always somebody looking for help.”

But whatever the hardships of building and speculating, Perry said it’s worth it.

“We believe that Tonganoxie is going to be a growing area,” he said. “We’re just trying to build affordable housing because we feel it fills a niche.”