plans announced for construction of new retirement project in fort collins

A vacant lot in Fort Collins’ Old Town neighborhood may soon see the construction of a new four-story senior housing project with at least 160 individual units.

The project is a joint venture between MorningStar Senior Living, Haselden Real Estate Development of the city of Centennial, and Fort Collins developer J.D. Padilla of Post Modern Development.

Plans for the 3-acre site additionally include the construction of around 20,000 square feet of both office and retail space, as well as a parking garage with room for up to 500 vehicles.

The site, at the intersection of College Avenue and Maple Street, has been vacant for the most part of the last decade, but was formerly the home of several small retail operations.

Padilla purchased the property, known as Block 23, in early 2015.

Work is expected to begin on the new complex sometime early next year, with a rough completion date of summer 2021.

According to city documents, the complex will house a combination of both assisted care and memory care units, as well as an aerobics room, salon, art room, and swimming pool.

U.S. Census figures peg the current senior population of Fort Collins at around 15 percent, but it’s a number that, according to analysts, could increase to 25 percent in the next decade.

By Garry Boulard

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