Yet another long-stagnant piece of the construction and real estate market in Weld County is crawling slowly out of the recession and could make quite a comeback in 2013.

The numbers are still small, but they’re six times what they were last year, and are growing a little bit every month.

We’re talking about building permits issued on multi-family housing units, which have hit 42 for the year, compared with only seven in all of 2011, according to Tim Swanson, Greeley’s chief building official.

The 2012 figure increased from 19 to 42 in just one month, from October to November.

The value of the approved projects tops $4 million, compared with just $723,000 in 2011.

Keep in mind, these numbers mark the units of multi-family being constructed, not the number of buildings. Regardless, it’s a positive trend with more good news on the horizon.

Two more developments, one with 94 units and the other with 24, are in the final review process with the city, according to the economic development department

These new apartments and condos are being constructed by companies like J &J Construction, an arm of Journey Homes of Greeley, the company