School construction projects boost March permits

A mix of commercial and school construction projects boosted the value of Lawton building permits to $22.4 million in March.

Lawton Public Schools purchased permits totaling $6 million to upgrade athletic facilities at all three of its high schools. Practice fields were upgraded to artificial turf and seating and other amenities have been put in place to allow most home football games to be played on the campuses.

The latest installment is construction of three 6,257-square-foot multipurpose facilities that will include locker rooms and concession stands. The district also received a $440,000 permit for security fencing at MacArthur High School, 4400 E. Gore.

The largest permit, valued at $3.5 million, was for remodeling at the Walmart Super Center at 1002 N. Sheridan.

Silver-Line Plastics, 8801 SW Neal Blvd., received permits totaling $4.57 million, including a $2.67 million permit to add 8,800 square feet for electrical service for new extruders. The company, which makes plastic pipe, was issued a $2.6 million permit in February for a 65-foot blending tower.

Braum’s, which is building a new store on North Sheridan Road between Arlington and Lake avenues north of Arby’s, received another $1.2 million permit for a new 6,152-square-foot store at 1698 82nd.

A $544,000 permit was issued for remodeling 10,511 square feet in Lawton Town Center, 421 NW 2nd. The space, formerly occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond, will accommodate a Five Below store — the second in Lawton — and a pOpshelf store. The pOpshelf chain is owned by Dollar General and features home decor, beauty items, cleaning supplies, party goods and other items, most at $5 or less.

Residential permits totaled $4.37 million in March. The city issued permits for eight new single-family homes valued at $1.93 million. Permits totaling $1 million were issued for construction at Summit Apartments, 2302 NW 38th.

Other large commercial permits included:

•A $300,000 permit to remodel lease space at 7210 Cache Road (originally West End Drug);

•A $300,000 permit for roofing at Zoe Christian Center, 1108 SW Tennessee;

•A $260,000 permit for roofing at BrookRidge Retirement Community, 7802 Quanah Parker Trailway;

•A $156,000 permit for roofing at Economy Inn, 1122 Cache Road; and

•A $96,000 permit for a new driveway for the Lawton Community Health Center at 5404 W. Lee.