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Leases for 294 units in the modified shipping containers are signed

The deposits are in, and leases have been signed for the 294 beds coming to Whistler this November as part of the Phoenix Housing Agreement.

The deposits are in, and leases have been signed for the 294 beds coming to Whistler this November as part of the Phoenix Housing Agreement.

“We were able to accommodate pretty much every business,” said Louise Lundy, president of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.

“Not everyone got all the beds they wanted, but for the most part people are pretty happy.

Lundy explained that project organizers took the number of beds each business asked for, reduced it by 70 per cent, and then readjusted the numbers to accommodate the 3- and 4-bedroom units.

This was done to allow each business an opportunity to house some of their employees in the Phoenix development. A total of 509 beds was requested.

The temporary project, which will house local employees in modified shipping containers on the Holborn property along Northlands Boulevard, is currently zoned for 210 beds. However, Phoenix project organizers have an application making its way through municipal hall for another 84 beds.

“We can guarantee 210 beds, but we are assuming we have 294,” said Lundy.

“All the development permits and the designed is based on having 294. Hopefully we can get that wrapped up as quickly as possible so the supplier can know if the need to accommodate the extra two buildings.”

American company SG Blocks has already purchased the shipping containers and is outfitting them at their factory. Once the interiors are complete, the units will be shipped to Squamish and then brought up to Whistler via truck or rail.

Site preparation work on the Holborn site will probably not start until July. And the containers will likely be placed on foundations around September.

The Phoenix housing complex will consist of five or seven buildings, each three-storeys tall, made out of modified shipping containers. Each floor in the housing complex will have a kitchen and bathroom for groups of three- or four- bedrooms, as well as a common area and a balcony shared by all 14 rooms. Beds rent for $650 a month.

The project should be in place by November and will be removed in the spring of 2010.