FERRIDAY, La. – Crews from BAS Construction of Rayville are preparing to lay the foundation of an apartment complex for the elderly at Ohio Avenue and Third Street.

And Macon Ridge has three more complexes in various stages of development in Concordia, Catahoula and Tensas parishes. Those include a Lincoln Road complex that should be started in early summer, said Buddy Spillers, president of the Macon Ridge Community Development Corp.

Construction crews resumed work on the Ohio Avenue complex about two weeks ago, Spillers said Monday.

&uot;They’ve got five months to complete the project, but with good weather they should be through in 90 days,&uot; said Spillers, whose organization is developing the project.

The project had been delayed since late March, when nearby residents expressed concern that soil from the site might spread a fungus that can cause histoplasmosis, a disease that can cause respiratory problems and even blindness.

Work on a 38-unit apartment complex for the elderly, which is planned for Lincoln Road near Ferriday, should start by June 1. That project should be finished by November, Spillers said.

Nearby residents have expressed concerns that the development could cause public works, crime and traffic problems.

But the Ferriday Town Council on July 11 approved water and sewer service to those apartments. And on July 17, the Concordia Parish Police Jury approved the permit to build.

Macon Ridge plans to start construction of an apartment complex in Sicily Island in the next 60 to 90 days. Work should start on apartments in Waterproof by June 1, Spillers said.