Fredericton Reports Record-Breaking Development In 2021
Fredericton–Last year, the City of Fredericton saw record-setting development numbers, with $187-million worth of building permits issued, according to new numbers released by the city this week.
The city is crediting much of that development to its fast-paced residential growth and increased demand for housing.
Residential construction in 2021 made up 70 percent of all new development, totalling $134.7-million. That exceeded Fredericton’s 2020 record total by more than $38-million and doubled the city’s 10-year average.
Development fueled by multi-unit starts
Permits were issued for 799 new housing units in 2021, reflecting a combination of both multi-units and single detached homes.
According to the city, 698 of those units were new apartment and townhouse units, which was also a new record for a single year. Single family detached home builds tallied 101 units, the highest total in over a decade.
“Responding to the demand for housing has truly been a community effort,” Councillor Jason LeJeune, chair of the city’s Economic Vitality Committee, said in a news release. “These record-breaking numbers show that with collaborative work between the city, developers, suppliers, and builders, we’re able to keep pace with the expected growth over the next few years.”
Fredericton’s 2021 numbers also signal what the city hopes is the beginning of the Covid-19 recovery for its commercial construction sector.
At the end of December, permits for commercial construction of more than $21-million were issued, below the 10-year city average, yet still a $4-million increase from 2020.
Growth matches municipal plan
Fredericton continues to meet growth projections consistent with its urban planning, with the city pointing to overall growth centered around key areas already identified in both its 2017 Growth Strategy and its 2020 Imagine Fredericton Municipal Plan.
For 2021, the city noted development statistics showing significant growth in Fredericton’s downtown and urban core.
Despite positive increases in residential construction, housing demand in the city “remains exceptionally strong” and sustained levels of high construction activity will be required to meet it.
Fredericton completed its Housing Needs Assessment last Fall, in an effort to better understand the city’s existing housing supply and assess its future needs.
Fredericton’s Affordable Housing Strategy is currently in development and expected to the completed in the coming weeks, which the city intends to use as part of its strategy to address housing challenges.
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With the announcement of Local Government Reform last Fall affecting many communities across the province, Fredericton will see its population grow by 5,500 more people.
While those scheduled changes won’t come into effect until 2023, the city will add new residents from adjoining communities of Killarney, Pepper Creek, Carlisle Road, and Islandview, bringing Fredericton’s total population to more than 70,000 people, a 22% growth in population over a ten-year span.
Tyler Mclean is a Huddle reporter based in Fredericton. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].