Southside and Mid-South residents are one step closer to two new housing projects.

The St. Joseph City Council approved the two new projects which will now be sent to the state level. The Fulson Group of Lee's Summit will develop 20 new single-family homes on the old Southside lot where Mckinley Elementary School used to stand. The other project will be developed by Townsend Inc. of Overland Park. It will include 48 new apartments at 14th and Garfield near Lifeline Foods.

Residents near the old Mckinley school continue to have mixed feelings about the project. They say it could be a good addition to the neighborhood, but still say there are problems that need to be addressed like traffic and sewer systems.

The Missouri Housing Development Committee will review the applications and award funding at the end of this year.