The second phase of Metrotown’s five-tower Station Square development will double the workforce of the first phase, according to business leaders at a press conference for the project on Friday.
Standing at the site of the next two towers, in front of hundreds of construction workers, Anthem Properties CEO Eric Carlson and Beedie Development Group president Ryan Beedie announced Phase 2 will create 650 construction jobs in Burnaby.
“When I think about what we do as a company, one of the things I love the most is the employment generation: creating well paid construction jobs,” said Beedie, noting that roughly 3,000 people will be employed during the duration of the Station Square development.
“We’re celebrating a milestone in the development of this project,” added Carlson. “Several years from now, right where we’re standing is going to be a very exciting place.”
The overall project will create 1,800 homes across the five towers, and is one of many developments to address housing needs in the city as the region prepares for a million new residents in the next 25 years, according to Mayor Derek Corrigan.
“I want to first of all bring greetings from Burnaby city council, from our staff, but particularly on behalf of all of the citizens of our city, many of whom will be moving from their single-family homes into this development to be sure that they stay in our city,” he said.
“Many of these homes are bought by Burnaby residents and people from our community who are participating in what they believe to be the future: a transit-oriented hub, a place where you can rely on transportation right by your doorstep.”
Corrigan praised the developers for the boosting employment in the city before they left the podium for the official groundbreaking.
“These jobs are important to our community,” said Corrigan. “These kind of jobs are the kinds that are sustainable.
“These are the kind of jobs that support families.”
