ST. PETERSBURG - Property values rose by an average of 3 percent across the county, according to official tax roll estimates sent by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office to cities and fire districts last week.

The biggest gain came in Belleair Shore, where the total value of property rose by an average of 7.4 percent. In St. Petersburg, the increase was 3.7 percent, and it was in 3.2 percent in Clearwater.

"The market does seem to be finally turning around, we're happy to say," said Amanda Coffey, deputy for government affairs and staff counsel at the Property Appraiser's office.

Overall, the tax base, or the assessed value of property countywide, ­increased by roughly $1.5 billion from last year.

Construction of new homes and commercial buildings is picking up in parts of the county, according to the Property Appraiser. More than $41 million worth of new construction has been added in St. Petersburg since last year. Largo added almost $17 million worth of new construction, and Clearwater roughly $31 million.