Mars Landing (apartment development, that is) gets go-ahead in Fort Collins – Coloradoan

Ninety apartments could be on the way in south Fort Collins after the planning and zoning commission approved a project development plan for Mars Landing.

Colorado Springs-based developer Goodwin Knight first proposed the project in 2019 at the southwest intersection of Mars Drive and West Skyway Drive, just south of College Avenue and Harmony Road, adding to a growing number of new homes and apartments in the area.

Mars Landing would consist of twothree-story buildings with 58 one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom apartments with a clubhouse, according to plans submitted to the city.

Apartments would be market rate, developers said.

According to a July survey from NAI Affinity in Fort Collins, averagerent in the city is now $1,560, with two-bedroom, two-bath units going for more than $1,700. Three-bedroom units can rent for $2,000 or more.

While Mars Landing is west of College Avenue, access would be off Mars Drive, which currently has a temporary roundabout near the south property boundary. The temporary roundaboutwill be removed toallow for another access.

Mars Drive will eventually be extended to Trilby Road as development occurs in the area.

Development: Prospect Road interchange improvements spur new development plans in east Fort Collins

Density on the roughly 4-acre site is nearly double what a previous developer had proposed for Skyway Townhomes, a plan that went through the city's preliminary design review but never went forward.

Goodwin Knight is a subsidiary of Challenger Homes, founded in Colorado Springs in 2000. In 2017, The Challenger Group sold almost half of Challenger Homes to Green Brick Partners, which was later rebranded as Goodwin Knight LLC.

The company also is finalizing its development plan for Ridgewood Hills Fifth Filing,375 apartments, duplexes and townhomes at the corner of Triangle Drive and South College Avenue. The city's planning and zoning commission approved the development plan in September 2020.

Here's a look at other residential projects in the area that have come through the city's preliminary development process in the last two years:

Ridgewood Hills Fifth Filing:302 multifamily and two-family units on 35 acres at the corner of Triangle Drive and the west side of South College Avenue. The project is bordered by Ridgewood Hills. Proposed by Goodwin Knight of Colorado Springs.

Sun Communities Mobile Home Park:211 units on 32 acres with amenity center and pocket park at 6750 S. College Ave. The site abuts Pleasant Grove mobile home park on the north and is southeast of the intersection of South College Avenue and East Trilby Road. Proposed by Sun Communities of Southfield, Michigan.

College and Trilby:300 to 330 units in 13 buildings on 15 acres at 6301 S. College Ave.Access would be from West Trilby Road to the south, with a new Mars Drive connection through the site. Proposed by Evergreen Development.

4858 S. College Ave.:Five stories, 62 units. Lot 1 of Fairway Estates fourth filing.

Previously: Manufactured housing in south Fort Collins moves on to next step

Pat Ferrier is a senior reporter covering business, health care and growth issues in Northern Colorado. Contact her at patferrier@coloradoan.com. Please support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a subscription today.

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Mars Landing (apartment development, that is) gets go-ahead in Fort Collins - Coloradoan