Despite a nationwide recession, construction activity in Aurora nearly doubled during 2009, sparked by a late surge of new home construction.

The final tally of building permits issued at city hall added up to $4.6 million for the year, the fourth highest year-end total for the decade. The lion’s share of that total came in the form of 18 new single-family dwellings, 10 of which are scheduled for construction this spring in the 10-unit Robin Drive Subdivision.

"I look back to 2009 and see Habitat for Humanity and the Robin Drive project making up the majority of new home construction," noted Christian Evans, executive director of the Aurora Area Chamber & Development.