Columbia student housing building plans approved

The Columbia City Council has completed its reviews of building plans for a student housing complex in downtown Columbia.

That complex will be located on north Locust between 7th and 8th streets.

The Council approved building plans with Opus Development Company, and all plans have been approved for permits.

Opus applied for a demolition permit to remove three existing buildings and their parking lots, a land disturbance permit for preparation of construction site, and a building permit for the 6-story apartment building.

Demolition and construction will start once an existing tenant is relocated, utilities are disconnected in current buildings, and a performance bond is posted.

The fees collected by the City before the building permit is issued total $319,779.55.

City Council has approved a temporary closure of sidewalks and parking lanes for the length of the project.