Hundreds of new homes and space for amenities such as grocery stores and child care will be a part of transit-oriented developments (TODs) planned around the Surrey Langley SkyTrain 152 Street Station.

It is estimated the project will deliver at least 700 homes and include potential for amenities, such as retail and commercial space, child care and educational services, as well as active-transportation connections. Over the next decade, the province plans to support transit-friendly neighbourhoods at all eight new stations along the Surrey Langley SkyTrain route.

The province has purchased 14 properties in the area, providing a land footprint of approximately 1.6 hectares (four acres) for both the station site and accompanying development. The purchase of these properties is part of the government’s commitment to deliver as many as 10,000 homes near transit over the next 10 to 15 years in support of the Homes for People plan.

The goal of transit-oriented developments (TODs) is to create thriving communities by acquiring land near existing and future transit hubs. These development areas incorporate various land uses, including residential, commercial and other amenities, to create complete, livable and sustainable communities that are more accessible for people to use public transit. As such, these areas are well-suited to accommodate higher housing density.

The plan is to work on the redevelopment with key stakeholders to advance the project. This includes work to prepare the property for mixed-use residential buildings and to ensure the development will deliver both market and below-market homes.

The Surrey purchase is the province’s fourth transit-oriented development, along with projects in Port Moody, Saanich and North Vancouver.