Developers are proposing two affordable apartment complexes along South High Street on Columbus' Far South Side.

If all goes according to plan, NRP Group would demolish the Rice Bowl, a Chinese restaurant at 2300 S. High St., and build three, four-story buildings in its stead and on surrounding property.

The complex's 240 one- to four-bedroom apartments would serve families making anywhere from 30% to 80% of the area's median income, according to Scott Skinner, vice president of development at NRP.

Thirty percent of the area median income for one person is $19,700 and $28,100 for a four-person household. Eighty percent of the area median income for one person is $52,500 and $74,950 for a four-person household.

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The first floor of one building would also be occupied by a child-care provider.

"The space is designed to be open and to serve the broader community and the broader neighborhood — not just residents of the apartments," Skinner said.

Rice Bowl has 'no plans' to close South High Street restaurant

But for the $65 million project to move forward, NRP must own the property where Rice Bowl stands.

Dan Sheeran Jr., of NAI Ohio Equities, said the restaurant's owners have no plans to close.

"Nothing has been sold; nothing has been agreed to," Sheeran said. "At this point, it's nothing more than an idea and proposal. That's as far as it's gone."

NRP Group also needs the Columbus City Council to grant it four zoning variances.

The Far South Columbus Area Commission recommended June 2 that city council approve the developer's variance requests. Skinner said he expects city council to consider them sometime in mid-July.

Skinner also said NRP is applying for money from Franklin County's magnet fund, the city of Columbus and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency's bond gap financing program.

"We are working to get every additional piece of support that we can to actually make this development economically viable as an affordable housing project," he said.

It's the fifth development NRP Group has undertaken with the nonprofit Community Development for All People. Others include The Residences at Career Gateway along East Whittier Street and Parsons Village on South Washington Avenue.

Affordable apartments proposed for south of Lowe's on High Street

The Far South Columbus Area Commission also recommended the council approve zoning variances for another housing project during the same June 2 commission meeting.

LDG Development would like to build an affordable apartment complex on nearly 8 acres of vacant land immediately south of Lowe's on South High Street.

The complex remains in the design phase, but could include hundreds of one- to three-bedroom apartments, available to families making an average of 60% of the area median income, according to Zac Linsky, development manager for LDG.

As with NRP Group, LDG Development still needs the council to grant zoning variances for the project.

LDG also has to buy the land and obtain funding.

Bruce Miller, a member of the Far South Side neighborhood commission, expressed concern that residents of the proposed complex would have trouble crossing South High Street to catch a bus north.

Miller also said the nearest bus stops would be a 10-minute walk from the complex.

Laura Comek, who represents LDG Development, said negotiations are ongoing with the Central Ohio Transit Authority to possibly extend bus service closer to the proposed complex.

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Monroe Trombly covers breaking and trending news.

mtrombly@dispatch.com

@MonroeTrombly

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Developers propose apartment complexes on Columbus' Far South Side