The Friends of Martinez Park, a non-profit group that holds the option on the land, chose Wonderland President Jim Leach and his company for the project based on several factors. According to officials, the developer was sensitive to the group's concern for preserving the character of the existing neighborhood, held a clear vision for the appropriate density level of the development (number of housing units on the site), and could provide the necessary financial backing for the project. Wonderland was also awarded the assignment based on its track record of successfully developing CoHousing communities within larger planned developments.
Wonderland's plan for the mixed-use site has already been approved by The Friends of Martinez Park, and has been submitted to the city for approval. In addition to the CoHousing village, the site will consist of 10 single family detached homes and a neighborhood oriented commercial/mixed-use building with loft apartments.

The project is a five minute walk to downtown Fort Collins, and will be the first one developed within the new 8-10 block Civic Center area. The location of the CoHousing village on the property holds particular appeal as it is bordered on its northern perimeter by the 50-acre Lee Martinez Park, which offers an extensive hiking/biking trail system that runs along the Poudre River.

Due to its convenient downtown location and easy access to the park, the Martinez Park CoHousing project is expected to appeal to a wide range of households, including families with children, couples, singles and seniors.

According to Mikal Torgerson, architect/planner for the Fort Collins site, "the design for the buildings will emulate an historic western feel" of the old town style of Fort Collins. Torgerson added that the project will offer a unique transition point between the existing neighborhood, Lee Martinez Park and the Civic Center.

Based on the Danish model of "living communities," CoHousing combines the autonomy and private ownership of individual homes with the advantages of shared resources.

Typical shared facilities in a CoHousing community include a common house with community kitchen (individual homes also have their own kitchens), dining room, children's play area, workshop space, guest rooms, and a common courtyard, gardens and central pedestrian walkway. Cars are parked at the periphery of the property to maintain an auto-free neighborhood safe for young children.

According to Zev Paiss, Managing Editor of CoHousing: The Journal of the CoHousing Network, "There is a growing interest in CoHousing as a mainstream housing option. Currently, 37 states in the U.S. have CoHousing groups that have either moved into their homes or are working toward completion of their community."

Wonderland has created more CoHousing neighborhoods than any developer in the U.S. The firm pioneered Nyland CoHousing in Lafayette, the first CoHousing village in Colorado and the largest in the U.S.; Highline Crossing in Littleton; Greyrock Commons in Fort Collins; Harmony Village in Golden, and, most recently, Nomad CoHousing, which is Boulder's first CoHousing village.

Wonderland is also recognized nationally for original home design and "green-building." On January 25, 1997, Wonderland President Jim Leach will receive an award for the Harmony Village CoHousing Community from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The award for "Building Innovation for Homeownership" will be presented to Leach in Houston, Texas, at the annual convention of the National Association of Homebuilders.

Meetings for those interested in joining the Martinez Park CoHousing community will be held on Thursday Feb. 6 & Thursday Feb. 20 at 7 pm in the Farm at Lee Martinez Park (off Sherwood St.). For further information contact Don Bunn in Fort Collins at (970) 416-1998 or Marilyn Moses at Wonderland Hill Development Company at (303) 443-7876, ext. 106.