New mixed-income Columbus housing development opens for seniors. See inside
A new mixed-income apartment development for seniors in Columbus aims to provide affordable housing while also promoting a sense of community among its residents.
Mayor Skip Henderson joined other local elected officials, leaders of the Columbus Housing Authority and other partners Thursday for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting at Miles Crossing Senior Residences.
Miles Crossing has 90 senior apartments (80 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom) at 450 Fifth Ave., at the intersection of Victory Drive and Veterans Parkway.
There are 52 units for project-based vouchers, 28 low-income housing tax credit units and 10 market-rate apartments.
The $26 million development was funded by multiple organizations, including:
- Georgia Housing & Finance Authority, $2.35 million
- Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia (HACG), over $3 million
- Columbus Consolidated Government, over $2.3 million
- RBC Investor, $17.8 million.
Partnerships between the housing authority, CCG the state and other financial partners were vital in completing the Miles Crossing project, HACG chairman Larry Cardin said in a speech during the ceremony.
A full list of partners is on the Miles Crossing website.
“The completion of Miles Crossing is a great example of what can become when these partners come together with the same goal in mind,” Cardin said. “Everyone’s hard work has created a new investment for the Columbus senior community.”
Miles Crossing is named after Ricky Miles, an HACG team member who died in 2024, HACG chief executive officer Laura Johnson during the ceremony. Relatives of Miles, including his wife and daughter, attended the ceremony.
He dedicated his career to public housing and community service, Johnson said.
“Miles Crossing stands as a lasting tribute to Ricky’s final project and the values that he championed: service, compassion and a deep commitment to expanding access to safe and affordable housing,” Johnson said.
Inside Miles Crossing
Miles Crossing has a courtyard with outdoor games and seating, plus a dog park. Inside the building, community amenities include a business center, on-site laundry facilities and a fitness center.
A movie theater is on the first floor of the building.
“I like the sense of community,” Henderson told the Ledger-Enquirer.
Henderson said he is glad residents have a fitness center, so they don’t have to worry about not being able to go walking if there’s bad weather.
“And then the theater — (residents) can collectively go in there and have a movie night,” he said.
Entering the building from the courtyard, Miles Crossing has a room with mailboxes, a kitchen area and tables where residents can sit and socialize, including two tables with chess boards.
Throughout the common areas, artwork and photos depicting Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley hang on the walls.
More seating is in a common area outside the theater, along with a grand piano.
The apartments have washer and dryer hook-ups and stainless steel, energy-efficient appliances. Some units have balconies.
The units have walk-in closets, vinyl plank flooring and ceramic tile in the bathrooms.
“I’ve had at least three residents, unsolicited, come up and tell us how magnificent this place is, how much they love it and how much they enjoy being in it,” Henderson said.
Miles Crossing offers seniors a quality place to live, he said. Around 77% of the units are already occupied, according to HACG.
“Our housing department, along with our partners, have worked really hard at changing the face and the perception of public housing,” Henderson said. “They’re heroes.”
