The portion of Lee Street between Conyers and Reynolds streets will be permanently closed as preparations begin for construction of the long-awaited $9 million senior affordable complex.

Missouri-based Affordable Equity Partners is developing the 60-unit to 70-unit facility, which will be called Harristown Park. Groundbreaking was expected to originally take place in June but has been delayed. A representative for Missouri-based Fairway Construction, the contractor, did not return a call seeking comment Friday afternoon.

Councilman Hawnethia Williams previously said that car traffic is not prevalent on that section of Lee Street, but there is some pedestrian traffic. Harristown Park LLP, the company formed to handle the senior complex, owns the lots on both sides of Lee Street and purchased the right of way from the city.