Construction will soon begin on a new apartment project adjacent to the Northstar Commuter Rail Station.

Sherman and Associates is planning to construct two apartment buildings on the site, one containing 180 units of market rate housing and another building totaling 71 units of mixed-income housing.  

"It's one of those rare opportunities where we can build housing next to transit that's close to retail and employment and kind of connect those dots to make for more of a walkable community, encourage people...to walk to the store or to walk to different kinds of amenities or services," says community development director Grant Fernelius.  "This is really one of the few opportunities that we have in Coon Rapids to do that so we're really excited about this project."

An official groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place sometime in October.  Construction will take about a year and a half to complete.  

A second phase of the project could include senior housing at a later date.