Among four type-of-structure categories monitored by RSMeans, a “typical” fire station had the largest year-over-year increase in construction costs in December 2008 (+6.5% on average for 25 major centers). Next in line came a library (+5.9%), followed by an auditorium and gymnasium (both +4.5%). As for dollar-per-square-foot cost of construction, an auditorium is most expensive. Among the 25 cities, New Orleans was the leader in percentage cost increases, year over year.