Morganton's March construction reports highlight heftier residential investments

A burst of large March projects, led by a nearly $2.8 million boardwalk replacement and $1.5 million in new senior living residential projects, pushed Morganton’s construction activity to about $18.6 million in value through the first three months of 2026.

City of Morganton permit reports for January, February, and March show a first quarter shaped less by steady month-to-month growth than by a handful of large projects landing in waves. January totaled about $8.8 million in construction value. February slipped to about $2.85 million. Then March surged to about $6.96 million.

Of March’s activity, the largest category of construction was residential, with 86 permits; followed by commercial, with 30 permits; and there was one government project that had one building permit.

Residential construction, totaling $3,141,865, made up about 45% of the month’s construction value. The average worth of a residential project was about $36,533, but a $1.8 million housing investment at Grace Ridge carried the weight. The work includes $1.5 million for additional duplex cottage and single-family home. Building permits also show $304,000 worth of apartment renovations to existing units.

Commercial construction, totaling $1,024,060, made up about 15% of March’s total construction value. The average worth of a commercial project was slightly lower than residential at $34,135. Work at Morganton’s new Chicken Salad Chick on Burkemont Avenue was the project with the costliest construction during the month. One building permit shows $425,000 to finish the shell of the building where the restaurant will be.

One government project, totaling almost $2.8 million made up about 40% of construction. The City of Morganton recently awarded a contract to Wilkie Construction Company Southeast, LLC of Lenoir to build back the boardwalk at River Village. The work is expected to be completed in the fall.

Other key projects:

• Former Walgreens on North Green Street: $163,000 for renovations and repair after Hurricane Helene damage. The building, which is owned by Parla, LLC, housed Walgreens, but the store was closed after being deemed a total loss.
• SUM Storage: $104,000 in wiring for lighting and air conditioning as the company expands to 506 E. Fleming Drive, the previous location of The Outreach Center. The storage company, which is next door to the site, will be developing mini-warehouses and self-storage units, according to Wendy Smith, the city’s director of development and design services.
• Case Farms: $2,500 for 70 feet of sewer service is listed in a plumbing permit. The company is expanding with the construction of a new breast packaging facility.
• Beacon Avenue townhomes: $48,000 for new electrical work at the townhomes off Fletcher Street. Only a portion of the development has been completed so far.

Taken together, the first quarter suggests Morganton’s development picture is being driven by two forces at once: a base layer of constant residential and commercial maintenance work, and a smaller number of large projects that can dramatically swing the monthly totals when they hit the books.