A planned development for affordable housing in Columbus that was first introduced last year is set to expand. The project, Bartholomews on Sycamore, encompasses the site of the former St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, along with other parcels encompassing the Seventh Street to Eigth Street block of Sycamore Street. Nick Surak is with the Woda Group, a national developer of affordable housing…

Surak says that most of the units will be one-bedroom apartments. He adds that Columbus has a real need for affordable housing…

Surak also told the council that the increased number of units, along with the property being part of an Economic Development Revitalization Area, should “put the project over the top” in allowing it to obtain tax-credits from the state. Those credits, he explained, will make the project viable. If the project does commence, Surak says that those units will remain affordable housing, based on income requirements, for 30 years.

The Columbus City Council voted Tuesday night to approve the developer’s request to declare that site an Economic Revitalization Area.