216 Unit Apartment Complex to Open in July 2019

October 31, 2017 - Commerce City Sentinel-Express Newspaper

Commerce City will soon be home to 216 new apartments that people who make $33,660 or less per year can qualify to rent.

Minneapolis-based affordable housing developer Dominium broke ground on North Range Crossings near East 104th Avenue and Sable Boulevard Thursday, Oct. 26, after closing on the property in August. The new complex is expected to open in July 2019. Two other developers previously tried to develop apartments on the site, but did not succeed.

One, two and three-bedroom units in the complex will feature stainless steel appliances, walk-in closets and in-unit washers and dryers. The complex will have a swimming pool, a spa, a fitness center and two playgrounds.

The North Range Crossings is the first new construction project in Colorado for Dominium representatives, who partnered with Commerce City Housing Authority on the project. Dominium previously worked on four other affordable housing projects in the state.

"We saw in Dominium a dedicated, affordable housing owner and manager with the vision and commitment to deliver attractive and high-quality affordable housing, not just as an investor but as a community partner," Bruce Thomas, chairman of Commerce City Housing Authority Board said in a release.

City council members waived some fees and gave Dominium tax breaks on the project, which helped influence the developer's interest in the area and may help bring retailers to the region in the future, according to Ron Mehl, Dominium partner and developer.

"There are a lot of single family homes in the area, and they all want those everyday goods and services," Mehl said. "Creating 216 more homes out here will help create more commercial uses. And thats how commercial use gets developed. They look for traffic counts. They look for rooftops. And then the workforce housing provides the needed help for all those everyday goods and services that are in town."

Commerce City needs the workforce density such apartment projects provide, said Commerce City Mayor Sean Ford, who spoke at the groundbreaking. Colorado has the most expensive housing market in the country other than states with coastlines, Ford said. That's why apartment complexes such as North Range Crossings are even more vital to the region, he said.

"These apartments will provide housing options for people working in the city such as teachers, counselors and skilled craftsman," Ford said. "This project helps fill a major gap in housing, one of city council's goals, and demonstrates our commitment to support a growing community."

North Range Crossings is the third income-restricted housing complex to be built recently in Commerce City, according to information from the Commerce City Housing Authority. It will join Pinecrest Apartments and Conter Estates in Commerce City as affordable options. In addition, North Range Crossings' 216 units makes it the largest such complex.

"When we look at Commerce City, and we see the demographics that are moving out this way, we see a lot of young families here getting started in life," Mehl said. "The opportunity to provide that workforce housing to the city is going to be important."

With Denver International Airport nearby and a new convention center getting built, more affordable apartments are needed, Mehl said. Employers such as Panasonic and possibly Amazon in the futuer could create even more need, Mehl said.

"There is a huge need for affordable housing," Mehl said.

Dominium representatives plan to build more income-restricted apartment complexes in Colorado. The company has building sites under contract in Denver, Parker, Westminster and Centennial. The Westminster and Centennial developments are planned to be income-restricted apartment homes for seniors.