Wareham Development Hosts “Topping Off” at EmeryStation West, promotes STEM Jobs

Wareham Development representatives and local dignitaries celebrated the ‘topping off’ of the EmeryStation West building last Friday May 12th. Prior to the ceremony, Wareham hosted a presentation of The East Bay Economic Development Alliance’s “Innovation 2.0 Regional STEM Action Plan” at Wareham’s Atrium building on Horton.

Congress members Barbara Lee and Mark DeSaulnier were on hand to acknowledge the role of the new research facility as well as promote science, technology, engineering and math or “STEM” job growth in the East Bay. Wareham have been big supporters of Emery Unified and neighboring district students.

Kicking off #EastBayInnovate with #STEM leaders! #EastBay #STEMEd pic.twitter.com/1GdOeZbM3c

— East Bay EDA (@eastbayeda) May 12, 2017

The Innovation 2.0 Action Plan is a strategy drafted by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance and is the first from any region in the nation. The initiative will be used as a blueprint for potential legislative resolutions and business engagement with education. The EDA’s efforts are to ensure that the East Bay community is prepared to succeed in the 21st century.

“We must double down on our efforts to ensure access to [STEM] education opportunities to make certain our children are equipped with the skills to fill the high-paying jobs of the future.” noted Lee at the ceremony.

@Keith_Carson @CSAC_Counties @RepBarbaraLee @eastbayeda @RepDeSaulnier @warehamproperty #EastBayInnovate pic.twitter.com/fXdvM0smTd

— Terrell P. Hegler (@TPH_510ak) May 12, 2017

At the conclusion of the presentation, those in attendance walked less than two blocks away to the construction site of the in-progress EmeryStation West project. The site is located along Horton Street between the Emeryville Amtrak Station and Post Office.

Wareham President Rich Robbins addressed those in attendance noting “innovation is collaboration” citing the public/private partnership that helped transform the City of Emeryville among others. Wareham has been a key player in establishing the East Bay Biotech corridor that rivals any in the U.S. if not the world.

Wareham President Rich Robbins addressed the city and members of the construction team.

The ceremonial beam was decorated with the U.S. flag, the signatures of stakeholders and an undecorated Christmas tree. The tree tradition is said to originate from a Scandinavian building ritual that goes back to the 8th century.

When complete, the 265,000 square foot, seven story building will have transit accommodations at the street level to serve Amtrak trains, buses and EmeryGoRound shuttles, taxis, limos, car shares, and private cars. The project will also accommodate ground floor retail as well as an open plaza atop the parking podium. EmeryStation West is designed to meet LEED Gold standards and will be ready for tenant improvements later this year.

“The Bay Area’s getting more urban and people are thinking about sustainability and transit,” noted Wareham partner Geoff Sears in this SF Business Times Piece. “It’s just smart to go up.” Wareham’s portfolio of Bay Area buildings encompass 4.5 million square feet of office space.