Harper Woods II would add 198 affordable apartments for people 55 and older on Warm Springs Road. Comments on its federal funding are due Nov. 3.

A four-story apartment building for people 55 and older could rise on Warm Springs Road in north Columbus. Harper Woods II would hold 198 affordable apartments. The city is taking public comments on its plan to release federal money for the project until Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The Columbus Consolidated Government announced the comment period in a release Oct. 21.

What is planned

According to the city’s release, the project would include:

  • one four-story apartment building at 5996 and 6000 Warm Springs Road
  • 198 apartments: 56 one-bedroom and 142 two-bedroom units
  • homes for residents ages 55 and older, at affordable rents

The Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia, would build it as the second phase of the Harper Woods community. The first phase is already open nearby. Its property website gives its address as 6050 Warm Springs Road, next to Flat Rock Park, and says it was completed in 2022.

What the comment period is about

The city reviewed the project’s effect on the environment and found it would have no significant impact. That finding, and the city’s plan to ask the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release the money, are what the public can now comment on.

The money is Moving to Work Block Grant funding, the release said. The city expects to send its request to HUD on or about Wednesday, Nov. 4, after it considers the comments. The release does not give the amount of funding, a construction start date or the rents.

Also open for comment: Urban League headquarters

The same city department opened a second, shorter comment period in a separate release Oct. 21. It covers $500,000 in federal Community Project Funding to renovate the Urban League’s historic headquarters at 802 1st Ave. The city’s release names the organization as the Urban League of the Chattahoochee Valley.

The planned work includes:

  • exterior renovations and an updated front entrance
  • new windows and outdoor lighting
  • an accessibility ramp
  • a new sign with a message board
  • flexible event space inside, with soundproof room dividers so several activities can run at once

Comments on that project are due Monday, Oct. 26. The city expects to ask HUD to release the money on or about Tuesday, Oct. 27.

What it means for you

  • To read the review records, go to City Hall, 1111 1st Ave., third floor, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both records are kept there, the city said.
  • To comment, email Emma Kimbrel, community reinvestment planner, at Kimbrel.Emma@columbusga.org, or call 706-225-3931.
  • Deadlines: written comments must be received by Monday, Oct. 26, for the Urban League building, and by Tuesday, Nov. 3, for Harper Woods II.
  • For Harper Woods II, say whether your comment is about the environmental findings, the release of funds, or both. The city asked for that.
  • Nov. 3 is also Election Day. Our voting guide has polling places and hours.

For other city contacts, see who to call at City Hall.