Phila. third in U.S. in new construction jobs

Standing amid scaffolding and building materials at the AQ Rittenhouse apartment and retail project in Center City on Wednesday, Stephen Pouppirt, president of Clemens Construction Co. Inc., almost couldn't keep count of all the major projects his company is handling this summer.

"A lot of projects," he said, "Maybe 20, four major ones, and we have many in the queue."

Pouppirt's contracts, including several in Center City, are part of what is ranking the Philadelphia metropolitan division third nationally in the number of construction jobs added in a year, according to a trade group's analysis of Labor Department numbers.

Philadelphia, along with Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties, has added 8,500 construction jobs from July to July. Only Houston and Dallas have added more.

For example, Pouppirt's company will employ, at peak, 100 to 120 building trade workers at the AQ Rittenhouse Apartment project being developed by Aquinas Realty Partners of Havertown. The project, a 12-story building at 2021 Chestnut St., includes 110 apartments and street-level retail.

Philadelphia's deputy mayor for economic development, Alan Greenberger, said that the young-adult generation's desire to live in the city is fueling growth - both in residential and in commercial development as businesses "are locating here to be near talent."

The picture wasn't as pretty in September 2008.

"The fall of 2008 was like falling off a cliff," Pouppirt recalled.

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Phila. third in U.S. in new construction jobs