Five years ago, we came together at St. Stephen’s to launch the One Linden Plan and begin the work to implement the resident-driven 10 Big Ideas. Five years later, I remain grateful to our residents, nonprofit partners and the corporate community for all that has been accomplished.
We have taken major steps in building a stronger, more unified Linden. The 614 for Linden, a collaboration between six nonprofits, one neighborhood and four community development financial institutions, leveraged $5 million from JPMorgan Chase’s Partnerships for Raising Opportunity Neighborhoods program. Through this funding, we were able to preserve and increase affordable housing and commercial development, provide technical assistance and capital to Linden based small business and reduce barriers to healthy foods and health care services.
Linden students have benefited, as well, from a strong partnership between Columbus City Schools, The Ohio State University, the United Way of Central Ohio and the City of Columbus. Through work to support students, parents, caregivers, teachers, staff and community partners within the Linden community, kindergarten readiness and third-grade reading scores have increased, and chronic absenteeism and behavior referrals have decreased. Building on this success, the One Linden Schools Initiative secured a $2.5 million Full-Service Community Schools Grant from the U.S. Department
of Education to transform Hamilton and Windsor elementary schools into community schools over the next five years.
Thanks to our housing partners Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families, Homeport and Habitat for Humanity, we are helping residents with needed home repairs, and we have developed new affordable housing units. The Linden Fresh Market and Charitable Pharmacy are making fresh fruits, vegetables and free medication refills available within walking distance of many Linden residents.
The city has been focused on neighborhood safety through a restructuring of police patrol zones to provide faster response times and utilizing the Slow Streets, Vision Zero and Walk Safe Linden initiatives to improve transportation for those who walk, bike, scoot and drive in Linden.
While we have many achievements to celebrate, we still have more work ahead as we continue our efforts to realize each of the One Linden Plan’s 10 Big Ideas. I reaffirm my commitment to our shared vision, and I encourage you to advocate for our fellow neighbors by reviewing our progress report, aligning with partners to help scale up existing programs and fill identified gaps.
As we have seen, it takes all of us working together to make real change and build a stronger Columbus.
Sincerely, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther City of Columbus
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS STAFF
William Wilder Community Planning Analyst
De Lena P. Scales
Linden Neighborhood Program Specialist
Kym Douglas Director
Patrice Allen Brady Neighborhood Strategies Manager
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN CENTER
Planning Team
Juliana Silveira Dir. Planning and Urban Design
Jacob Gagnon Planner
Pranav Naukudkar Planning Intern
Tara Smith Project Manager
Dawson Estep Graphic Design Intern
Lucas Martinez Planning Intern
KEY PARTNERS
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Housing & Retail Market Studies Team
Matt Wetli Principal
Richa Singh Senior Associate, Urban Planner
Olivia Borland Project Planner
Andy Pfister Principal
Carolyn Flesaker Associate, Economic and Urban Planner
ADVISORY MEMBERS
Adam Troy*
Community of Caring CDC*
Linden Fresh Market
Linden Sport Leadership Academy Leadership Linden
Keischa Dublin
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
Peggy Williams*
South Linden Area Commissioner* Zoning Chair* South Linden Resident Linden Cooperative
Joann Kellam YMCA Stable Families
Dr. Samantha Bates
Ohio State University College of Social Work One Linden Student Success Initiative
LiFEsports
Carla Gwinn*
Linden Business Owner, Liberty Tax Greater Linden Business Network
Aaron Murphy North Linden Resident
Ohio Capital Finance Corporation
Yrik Sherfield
City of Columbus Office of Violence Prevention
Jim Goshay
South Linden Resident Omega Psi Phi Eta Nu Nu
Andrew Neutzling
Central Ohio Transit Authority
Tifini Ray
Be the One, Linden McKinley STEM Academy
Gretchen West Healthy Homes
Marilyn Mehaffie
St. Stephen’s Community House*
Carol Perkins
North Linden Area Commission Chair* North Linden Resident
Norman Deena Central Ohio Community Land Trust
Chet Ridenour COGO/Lyft
In association with or in support of the 2018 One Linden Plan *
Jason Seiple
The Parable Project Linden-McKinley STEM AcademyStudent Engagement Committee
Pastor Timothy Liggins Bethel AME
Concerned Linden Clergy Group
Javier Negrete
Hamiliton STEM Academy One Linden Schools Student Success Initiative
Roy Clark NNEMAP Food Pantry
Robert Williams MORPC
Laura Johnson Peace*
Columbus Metropolitan Library Linden Branch*
In loving memory of Carla Fountaine Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Dawn Redman Linden Business Owner South Linden Area Commission
Mario Basora Future Ready Five
Karen Dawson North Linden Resident CareSource
Pastor Charles Tatum*
Good Shepard Baptist Church
Concerned Linden Clergy Group*
George Walker Jr.*
South Linden Resident South Linden Area Commission
Dr. Londale Towns Sr. We Are Linden
Linden Community Advocate LYFE Savers
Brandi Braun Al-Issa
Habitat for Humanity - MidOhio*
BACKGROUND
The One Linden Plan was completed in 2018. Since then our communities survived a global COVID pandemic and Columbus became the epicenter of growth in Ohio. It is time to revisit the plan and assess the progress.
WHAT IS THIS REPORT? WHY NOW?
Real change comes with time. The plan recommendations for the Linden Study Area were designed as a long-term strategy, with a proposed time frame extending over at least a decade. Now that the plan has reached its fiveyear mark, it is time to look back and review the progress made and examine the current trends and market changes impacting the goals and strategic objectives of the plan.
“Writing a plan is one thing, achieving it is another.”
-2018 One Linden Plan
OUR LINDEN . OUR FUTURE . OUR PROGRESS
This progress report provides an update on the implementation of the One Linden Plan, aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Linden residents. The plan, designed as a comprehensive roadmap, outlines a long-term vision, and its success hinges on leveraging emerging opportunities and fostering active community engagement.
Over the past five years, there has been a concerted effort to coordinate the diverse initiatives required in economic, community, and real estate development. The plan suggested that community groups and organizations unify their work while building capacity and increasing their collective impact through a newly formed strategic partnership or dedicated organization. It also called for actively involving residents in the decision-making
processes, ensuring their genuine and meaningful participation.
The implementation of the plan is a long-term endeavor, however it is essential to focus on early catalytic projects that capitalize on current opportunities to set a strong foundation for plan implementation. While investments in physical infrastructure are critical, it is equally important to align these efforts with creating new opportunities for residents, businesses, and organizations with a goal of fostering a thriving community.
This document is divided into three distinct sections and offers a comprehensive assessment of the progress made to date in implementing the One Linden Plan. The first section details the
engagement and outreach efforts, highlighting a range of activities designed to foster awareness, communication, and collaboration. This includes stakeholder initiatives involving key partners, a variety of community events to connect with residents, and online engagement strategies that provide resources and updates. Additionally, it highlights pop-up events that brought information directly to the community and
a series of advisory committee meetings that helped audit progress on the implementation tables from the original plan. This section aims to capture the breadth of efforts to demonstrate that the community is effectively being reached and engaged.
The second section presents a community profile that reflects recent changes and developments within the area. It includes an analysis of shifts
in the community landscape as well as studies of the housing and retail markets to understand their current conditions and trends. This profile is essential for contextualizing efforts and measuring their impact.
crucial for assessing adherence to the plan and identifying any adjustments needed to stay on track. Together, these sections provide a thorough review of our progress and offer insights into areas of success and opportunities for improvement.
The final section of the document is an audit of the implementation tables, which evaluates how well the planned actions are being carried out. This audit is
Community members gather for Rides for Resilience.
Carols on Cleveland registration table.
20 2020 2019 2018
One Linden Plan
October 2018:
Hand-off at St. Stephen’s Community Hous
Comprehensive Neighborhood Safety Strategy
December 2018: Cleaned 7 alleys to deter criminal activity.
Central Ohio Community Land Trust
Since 2018: Established to promote permanent affordable housing in Franklin County.
614 for Linden
Formed to promote 4 of 10 Big Ideas from the One Linden Plan.
One Linden School Initiative (OLSI)
Ensures that all children and youth in Linden benefit from coordinated, collaborative community supports aimed at promoting healthy development, academic learning, and school success.
Other Initiatives:
Prenatal
Trip Assistance
May 2019: Smart Columbus launched this program to provide safe, timely, and reliable transportation to expectant individuals.
LMSA Senior Graduation Signs Delivery of LMSA senior graduation signs.
Food Boxes and Essential Service Deliveries
- Columbus Financial Empowerment Center: created to offer free financial counseling to residents
- Decorative Street Lighting: installed on Cleveland Ave
- Step Up to Quality Rating Technical Assistance: offered by Action for Children
The 614 for Linden Community Open House
February 2020 & March 2020:
Seeking to build upon the work of the One Linden Plan to create an equitable, opportunity-rich neighborhood for existing residents of Linden.
Landlord Education Series
Three class educational series for landlords in the Linden area.
Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue Meeting
Other Events Include:
- Linden Alley Clean Ups
- Landlord and Tenant Fairs
- Learning Extension Centers
- Linden Community Violence Intervention Workshop Training
BACKGROUND
2022 2023 2024 21
RE-ENGAGEMENT
Student Support
To help families balance work and remote learning, the City purchased 20,000 Chromebooks for Columbus City Schools and partnered with MORPC to provide internet hot spots. They also invested $1.6 million to support learning extension centers to provide a safe, healthy environment for students to get help with school.
COVID-19
Immunization
Community outreach to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.
Community Check-in
Series of Community meetings in October 2022, January 2023, and March 2023 to discuss the progress of the One Linden Plan.
Carols on Cleveland
Since 2021, this annual holiday event in December aims to bring Linden residents together and ring in the holiday season with song.
City Work Group October 2023: Introductory Meeting. November 11th, 2023: One Linden Plan Update.
One Linden Survey
From July to September 2023, gathered community input to continue to guide ongoing plan implementation.
Linden Branch
One Linden Advisory Committee Meeting
Monthly meetings of the advisory committee of the One Linden Plan throughout August 2024. Each month, the committee discusses one of the 10 Big Ideas of the plan.
Other Events Include:
- Jazz in the Park
- Community Center Trunk-or-Treat
- Ohio History Center Trick-or-Treat
- Parent/Caregiver Coalition Monthly Session
Library
April 2024: Opening wall breaking of new CML Linden Branc
Rise Up CBUS! Neighborhood Block Parties to learn about resources and connect with Linden residents. Held at Fedderson, Maloney, Cremeans, and Hamilton STEM.
Clever Bee Academy Block Party
Linden Anti-Violence Team with the Director of Clever Bee Academy in South Linden.
Retail & Housing April 2024: Study Update Discussion. May 2024: Market Study Presentation.
Other Events Include:
- Spring Into Summer
- Unity BBQ
- Pre-K Enrollment Block Party
CAHS Chorale performing at Carols on Cleveland 2022.
OUTReACH & ENGAGEMENT
Following the hand-off of the One Linden Plan in October 2018 at St. Stephen’s Community House, a series of community engagement initiatives were rolled out to foster collaboration, address local needs, and measure progress. These initiatives have been categorized into stakeholder initiatives and events, online engagement, popups, and advisory committee engagement.
stakeholder initiatives and events
Stakeholder initiatives and events were organized to promote community involvement and address local issues. They included open houses, workshops, and safety training sessions that bring residents together to discuss progress, share updates, and engage in collaborative efforts. Community events were designed to strengthen relationships within the community and support the implementation of the plan. Some examples include the 614 for Linden initiative in early 2019 and the Community Check-In meeting series in 2022.
Listening and learning from the
Linden Community.
614 FOR LINDEN
A collaborative of 6 nonprofits, 1 neighborhood, and 4 community development financial institutions (CDFIs) seeking to implement 4 Big Ideas identified in the City of Columbus’ One Linden Plan (2018) to have a collective, positive impact on North and South Linden.
Active between 2019 and 2022, its goal was to create an equitable, opportunity-rich neighborhood for existing Linden residents through comprehensive investments. These investments aim to preserve and increase affordable housing and commercial development, provide technical assistance and capital for local small businesses, improve healthy food access, and offer health services. The initiative was bolstered by a $5 million grant from the JPMorgan Chase PRO
Neighborhoods program, earmarked for use in the Linden community over three years. Stakeholder initiatives, like 614 for Linden, underscore the importance of partnerships and the collaborative approach essential for achieving the One Linden Plan’s goals. The “614 for Linden” Community Open Houses, held on February 15 and March 21, 2020, were pivotal in showcasing the collaborative efforts of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and nonprofits dedicated to implementing the plan’s objectives.
614 Linden’s $5 million grant from the JPMorgan Chase PRO Neighborhoods program was allocated for use in the Linden community over three years. The graph below illustrates how those funds were expected to be distributed.
4 BIG IDEAS & THE 614 FOR LINDEN GOALS
4 BIG IDEAS & THE 614 FOR LINDEN GOALS
SINCE 2019
1. Stabilize & Expand Housing Options
Develop a Linden housing loan pool of ≈$20 million to finance the acquisition, rehab, & construction of affordable housing units
Target loan capital to preserve/ create ≈500 affordable housing units for households earning <80% of the area median income
Provide rapid rehousing services for ≈200 individuals experiencing or near homelessness
2. Develop Business & Support Entrepreneurs
WORKING GROUPS & PARTNERS
Offer consulting, technical assistance, & other resources to 80 small businesses
Provide 45 microloans to local entrepreneurs starting or expanding operations
Create
3.
Build Community Investment
4. Support Resident Health
Focus
Provide
PLAN RE-ENGAGEMENT
The consultant team, formed by Sadicka & Associates and Cartier-Burrus, was tasked with a Community Check-in to evaluate and measure the progress of the One Linden Plan. They did this by assessing community stakeholders’ understanding of the plan, particularly through the lens of the 10 Big Ideas.
Approximately twelve months of outreach started in July 2022 and included attending community network events, hosting three community meetings, and conducting an online survey. The purpose of this outreach was to document catalytic projects that reflect the plan’s progress and community awareness and to gather insights on how the community perceives the execution and revitalization of the One Linden area. A total of 223 interactions with the public occurred at community events, an average of 73 people participated in
each community meeting, and 46 responses to the survey were collected.
Additionally, these engagements were utilized to gauge how aware Linden residents were of the One Linden Plan and assess their participation in planning sessions. Feedback from this outreach was also used to gain a better understanding of residents’ familiarity with the 10 Big Ideas.
These engagements also allowed residents to voice their priorities for strategic implementation of the plan and provided a platform to highlight any critical challenges or opportunities that the plan might not have addressed. This informed a series of recommendations to re-engage the community and continue to push for plan implementation, which were laid out in the One Linden Plan Review.
MALONEY PARK ENGAGEMENT
The South Linden Area Commission Meeting on May 21, 2024, addressed community feedback and concerns regarding Maloney Park improvements, reflecting the plan’s responsiveness to local needs and priorities. According to the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, the proposed renovations strategically align with the goals of the One Linden Plan. Specifically, this initiative addresses Big Ideas #8: Build Community Investment, #9: Connect the Community, and #10: Support Resident Health. The upgraded playground and workout equipment are designed to engage both young and old, fostering recreational connections across generations. As Maloney Park constitutes 25 of Linden’s 60 acres of parkland, these improvements enhance the community’s green spaces and ensure equitable access to recreational opportunities for all residents. Construction is schedule do finish on 2027.
CITY WORK GROUP
The Department of Neighborhoods City Work Group held two meetings in Fall 2023 and will continue to meet periodically. The intent of the City Work Group is to facilitate a comprehensive exchange of information and foster collaboration among the department staff. The agenda of these meetings focuses on sharing updates on ongoing projects and initiatives within the plan areas, highlighting contributions from the City of Columbus and community plans, and providing a platform for departments to report their progress. Through a round-robin discussion and a feature presentation, the group aims to inform and offer support to advance the implementation of the plan.
COMMUNITY SAFETY
In 2021, the focus on community safety and violence prevention continued with the establishment of the One Linden Neighborhood Safety Committee and the Linden Community Violence Intervention Workshop Training. These efforts were aimed at addressing safety concerns and equipping community members with strategies to combat violence effectively.
COMMUNITY SURVEY
The Linden Neighborhood Program Specialist encouraged community members to participate in the One Linden Survey to influence the implementation of the 10 Big Ideas from the One Linden Plan. The feedback collected informed discussions and development efforts, ensuring that future changes align with residents’ desires.
The survey was conducted from July to September 2023 and found that 60% of respondents were familiar with the resource website OneLinden.org. Their top three priorities were 1) Reduce Crime and Improve Perception, 2) Connect the Community, and 3) Stabilize & Expand Housing Options. Close to 60% of respondents showed interest in participating in working groups to address their top concerns.
Additionally, feedback showed strong community support for improvements in Linden but highlighted concerns about safety issues. Respondents requested better infrastructure, such as safer crosswalks and affordable housing. Many expressed a desire to contribute to local initiatives and address long-standing problems more effectively.
“Love Linden, support Linden, looking forward to see the upcoming better Linden”. - Survey Respondent
Online engagement
This concept involved leveraging digital tools to connect with the community and provide important information. Key elements included maintaining a central website with resources and updates, using interactive tools like ArcGIS StoryMaps to track progress, and distributing newsletters and surveys. Online platforms helped keep residents informed, gather feedback, and ensure transparency and ongoing communication between the community and stakeholders. Online resources have maintained transparency and fostered continuous dialogue between the plan’s stakeholders and the community. By providing accessible platforms for information and feedback, the One Linden Plan has continuously and effectively engaged residents.
ONELINDEN.org
Online engagement played an important role in providing essential information and connecting partners and residents with resources.
OneLinden.org serves as a vital online hub for Linden residents, offering a centralized platform where they can access a wealth of community support resources. The website is meticulously organized into twelve categories, including Educational Services, Small Business Support, and Healthcare, creating an extensive directory that connects residents with essential services. Beyond providing immediate resource access, OneLinden.org plays a crucial role in promoting long-term initiatives like the One Linden Plan and showcasing the efforts of its implementation partners. By bridging the gap between community members and key organizations, the site fosters greater engagement and support within Linden. Additionally, it allows users to register their businesses or services and promote upcoming or recurring events, further enhancing community connectivity and participation.
ONE LINDEN STORY MAP
ONE LINDEN NEWSLETTER
How the CommunityCentered Plan Impacts Linden Today and into the Future
The One Linden Story Map emerged as a valuable resource, offering an interactive tool for residents to explore detailed information about the plan’s implementation and progress. This online platform provides a dynamic solution for keeping residents informed and engaged. It enables real-time updates on the progress of community projects and current investments, ranging from infrastructure development to environmental initiatives. Structured around the community-developed goals and the 10 Big Ideas of the plan, this live feed of information allows residents to stay informed about their community’s development. By using this tool to keep people in the loop, City of Columbus neighborhood specialists create a sense of transparency and accountability that fosters trust and active participation.
The One Linden Newsletter delivers essential updates and resources to the Linden community with its Linden Liaison Weekly Updates. It drives residents to explore One Linden.org and tap into a rich array of information, from upcoming events and key community resources to details about the One Linden Plan implementation. The platform also creates opportunities for
1,109 subscribers 133% increase since October 2022 partners and community members to connect and collaborate, strengthening neighborhood bonds and ensuring everyone stays informed and involved. Whether Linden stakeholders are looking for updates or are eager to contribute to local conversations, the newsletter is an indispensable tool for staying engaged with the community.
pop up events
Pop up events involve strategically leveraging a variety of community events to reach diverse demographics and connect residents to available resources. Partnering with organizations that assist vulnerable populations is also key, ensuring inclusive and effective outreach. Engagement tactics include distributing hot cards to raise awareness and direct traffic to the plan’s website, providing access to iPads for convenient sign-ups for project updates, and conducting sentiment activities to capture community input. This multi-faceted approach ensures broad, accessible engagement and fosters a strong foundation for community collaboration. Examples include Rise Up CBUS!, Jazz in the Park, and Carols on Cleveland.
Engaging the public means meeting people where they are, rather than making people come to us on our terms.
RISE UP CBUS!
This event is designed to elevate community pride and support Mayor Andrew J. Ginther’s Opportunity Rising initiative, which aims to ensure equitable growth and prosperity for all Columbus residents. Attendees can learn about various resources provided by the city and community partners, enjoy free food and music, and connect with neighbors. The initiative focuses on addressing systemic racism and creating equal opportunities
in key areas such as safe housing, supportive jobs, clean air, and access to high-speed internet. By collaborating with partners and residents, Opportunity Rising seeks to dismantle racism and enhance economic stability, health, and safety in neighborhoods. Linden residents had the opportunity to join their Neighborhood Program Specialist at the Rise Up CBUS! at Feddersen Community Center (4/25/24) and Cremeans Park (7/18/24).
CAROLS ON CLEVELAND
The event “Carols on Cleveland” started in 2021 and has become an awaited annual holiday season celebration. The 2024 event took place during the second week of December at 1410 Cleveland Avenue and was a significant community celebration for Linden families. This family-friendly holiday gathering provides up to 500 registered families with toys, holiday meals, warm winter gear, and a historic Linden ornament.
Local partners, including vendors and various community organizations, contribute to the event, including the City of Columbus, Dept. of Neighborhoods, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, North and South Linden Area Commissions, CareSource, St Stephen’s Community House, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Eta Nu Nu Chapter, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Ohio History Connection, and the Neighborhood Design Center.
New in 2024 was a literacy room, where nine different men read their choice of children’s story to the room. The goal of the room was to highlight the One Linden Plan’s call for improved literacy
rates, while also encouraging fathers to read with their children. Each man was affiliated with one of the event’s partners. The literacy room also provided free children’s books for participating families.
This annual event highlights Linden’s resilience and community spirit, and the celebration underscores the progress and unity of this community. The choice of the Four Corners hub as the venue reflects a longstanding community vision for enhancing local well-being.
“Carols on Cleveland” not only supports families in need but also fosters a sense of pride and togetherness within the neighborhood.
±1,000 youth registered
JAZZ IN THE PARK
Residents were also engaged during Jazz-InThe-Park at John Maloney Park for an evening of free live jazz music. The event, brought by the South Linden Area Commission, featured live performances, food trucks, and a friendly atmosphere. The event was sponsored by various organizations, including the City of Columbus, Dept. of Neighborhoods, Clever Bee Academy, Greater Linden Business Network, Liberty Tax, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Franklin County Auditors Office.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TRACKING THE 10 BIG IDEAS
De Lena P. Scales, Linden Neighborhood Program Specialist, reconvened an Advisory Committee composed of 29 members representing approximately 50 organizations. Some of these individuals and organizations participated in the 2018 plan. The goal was to meet monthly from August 2023 until August 2024, to track the success of the One Linden Plan.
After a kick-off meeting to introduce the members and level set the group knowledge regarding the history of the plan and initiatives, such as 614 for Linden and the 2023 re-engagement efforts, the group was ready to discuss the plan’s progress. During each subsequent meeting, they focused on reviewing the implementation table on the data tracking, listing current partners, identifying challenges and barriers, and listing potential programs to achieve to complete the action item. They worked collaboratively to identify a pathway forward with attainable solutions informed by recent data, partners’ updates, and interactive activities.
The Linden neighborhood has a solid foundation of community leaders and dedicated residents committed to working toward a brighter future. Learn more about their recommendations in the Plan Audit section of this report.
02.28.2024 Meeting #6: Address Early Childhood Experiences
03.27.2024 Meeting #7: Connect the Community 04.24.2024 Meeting #8: Support Resident Health 05.29.2024 Meeting #9: Support Entrepreneurs & Develop Business + Build Community Investment 06.26.2024 Meeting #10: Stabilize & Expand Housing Options 07.31.2024 Meeting #11: Connect Residents to Employment
29 Advisory Committee members ±50 organizations represented
Community profILE
The following section is an update on the original data shared in the One Linden Plan in 2018. Between the plan’s release and this update, Greater Linden grew for the first time in decades, at a rate of 7.3%, according to a Learn United presentation.
Despite a decrease in housing units, most census tracts within Greater Linden experienced this growth, with rates reaching as high as 17.4%.
Community CHANGES
POPULATION & DEMOGRAPHICS
For comparison purpose, this Community Profile utilizes for its datasets the same combination of multiple boundaries as the One Linden Plan (2018). Specifically, the combined seven census tracts included in the original study area, zip code 43211, and the study area boundary itself define the areas of analysis for the datasets.
Unlike the combined census tracts, the zip code boundary fully encompass the study area, but neither fully align with its boundary. Some data sources only provide data for specific geographic boundaries, meaning that some datasets used in this study must rely on census tracts or zip code 43211 instead of the study area boundary.
For clarity, each data presented throughout the document specifies the boundary used for analysis. When comparing to previously collected data in the One Linden Plan, the same boundaries are used for consistency in analysis. The map on this page shows the boundaries used for this study.
Reference: “Conflict Boundary Considerations” (page 4, One Linden Plan, 2018).
Linden has a significant portion of families with children compared to Columbus, at 41% of households compared to 28% for the city.
30% of family households with children in Columbus are female householders with no spouse, and while the portion for Linden households is higher (66%), it did fall from 2016’s 71%. While married/ cohabiting households with children make up 63% of family households with children in Columbus, the Linden area made modest gains between 2016 to 2022, increasing from 19% to 28%.
38% of Linden residents have more than a high school education, compared to 66% for Columbus. Despite this gap with the city, educational attainment in Linden is improving. Between 2016 to 2023, the number of residents without a high school diploma fell from 25% to 20%, a much larger decrease than for Columbus during the same period.
Family Households with Children
Area Boundary (2023)
Highest Level of Educational Attainment
by Study Area Boundary (2023) Esri BA Demographic Profile
Single mothers make up 69% of households with children.
Linden households grew by 3% between 2016 to 2023.
Linden Columbus
Household Income, Net Worth, Disposable Income
by Study Area Boundary (2023)
Esri BA Demographic Profile
Income is the amount of money you earn, while net worth is the total value of your assets minus any debt.
Families below Poverty Status by Census Tract (2018-2022)
Census ACS (S1702)
Female householder, no husband present with children
Household net worths are 42% of household incomes in Linden, compared to 96% for the city
Population by Poverty Level
by Census Tract (2022)
Poverty Status for all Families by Census Tract (2016-2022)
The percentage of families below the poverty level fell in Linden at a slightly faster rate than the city, but the gap between them remains large
Linden Columbus
Linden has witnessed a marked surge in New American residents, resulting in a richer tapestry of racial and ethnic diversity. The most pronounced growth has been observed among mixed-race and Hispanic communities, contributing to the city’s evolving multicultural landscape.
Between 2016 to 2022, the number of New Americans originating from Latin America increased significantly in the study area, by 83%. This increase accounts for the majority of change to the New American population in the study area during this period. 70% of New Americans in Linden are from Latin America.
Linden Population Pyramid
by Study Area Boundary (2023)
While many New Americans residing in Columbus are from this region, a larger portion originate from Africa and Asia. More specifically, New Americans originating from Mexico make up 38% of the area’s New American population.
Percent of New American Population
by Census Tract (2022)
Census ACS (B05006, B05012)
Americas
Linden: 69.9%
Columbus: 22.1%
Africa
Linden: 25.0%
Columbus: 36.9%
Asia
Linden: 5.0%
Columbus: 34.5%
Europe
Linden: 0.1%
Columbus: 6.2%
Central America
Caribbean
South America
Uncategorized Africa
Western Africa
Eastern Africa
South Eastern Asia
South Central Asia
Western Asia
Eastern Europe
Linden’s foreign born population is 4%.
EMPLOYMENT & ECONOMY
63% of Linden study area workers work in 5 industries as of 2023, while 47% of Columbus residents work in these same industries:
• Educational Services (26%)
• Transportation & Warehousing (10%)
• Other Services (except Public Administration) (10%)
• Health Care & Social Assistance (9%)
• Retail Trade (8%)
Linden has an unemployment rate that is 3 times as high as the Columbus average. While the area has some work to do to close this gap, conditions are improving in the area. Linden unemployment dropped slightly between 2016 to 2023, to 11.5%.
Both Linden and Columbus have a higher concentration of white collar jobs than blue collar or service jobs. As of 2023, 64% of Columbus jobs were white collar, compared to 39% for Linden. While white collar jobs are generally better paying, they are also less accessible to all community members. Linden has a more even distribution of jobs across all 3 sectors, creating job opportunity for residents of varying skills and backgrounds.
Household income disparities between the study area and Columbus remain a major issue. Study area incomes are just above half of Columbus incomes, and an even greater gap persists between net worths. At an average of $14,000, Linden’s average household net worth is only 24% of the average Columbus household’s net worth.
Top 5 Linden Businesses and Jobs by Industry
by Study Area Boundary (2023)
Esri BA Business Summary
Slightly more than one in four Linden employees work in educational services
Home Zip Code of Workers
Employed in the Linden Plan Area
by Study Area Boundary (2021)
The zip codes for the North and South Linden neighborhoods were the only zip codes that increased their number of employees from across the region working in Linden.
Change in Linden Residents Employed in Central Ohio Zip Codes
by Study Area Boundary (2021)
Census
OnTheMap
Of the 10 zip codes assessed, Linden residents are more likely to work in 8 out of 9 zip codes than zip code 43211.
Force Participation by Census Tract (2016-2022)
Census ACS (DP03)
Earnings for Workers Living vs Working in Study Area
by Study Area Boundary (2021)
Census OnTheMap
Spending Potential Index
by Study Area Boundary (2023)
Esri Retail Demand by Industry
The Linden residents are around half as likely to spend across industries compared to Columbus.
Unemployment Rate for Select Demographics
by Census Tract (2016-2022)
Census ACS (S2301)
Nearly all education levels had a drop in unemployment, but lag significantly behind Columbus unemployment rates.
school graduate (includes equivalency)
Both Linden and Columbus lag behind national average potential retail spending, according to Esri’s Spending Potential Index. Linden retail demand across industries is just above half of Columbus retail demand, with an average demand of 45% of the national average compared to Columbus at 80%.
The Spending Potential Index is based on the amount spent by households on products and
services compared to the national spending average for those same products and services (represented as 100). For example, an index of 50 is 50% below the national average.
Labor force participation has remained generally the same for Linden between 2016 to 2022, dropping only slightly from 62% to 61%.
36% of Linden families are in poverty as of 2022, a drop from 2016’s 42%. While 51% of families with children are in poverty, the structure of the family with children greatly impacts the likelihood of being in poverty. Only 25% of married-couple families with children are in poverty, compared to 58% of female householders with children and no spouse.
246 businesses
2,616 employees 15 employee/residential population ratio (per
100 residents)
Renter and owner incomes rose significantly in Columbus and Linden, with renter incomes rising at a much faster rate (65%). While owner incomes remain higher than renter incomes, the income disparity between the two groups is much lower in Linden (renter incomes are 83% of owner income) to Columbus (renter incomes are 55% of owner income). Disparities between Columbus and Linden are also much higher for owners (a $48,000 difference) compared to renter incomes (a $16,000 difference).
Travel Time to Work
by Census Tract (2016-2022)
Census ACS (S0801)
Mode of Transportation by Census Tract (2016-2022)
Census ACS (S0801)
Linden residents are more likely to carpool or take public transportation than the Columbus average. The Linden area has an almost uniform number of jobs across sectors. Work from
40% of Linden households had incomes of less than $25,000 in 2023, compared to 18% for Columbus. Only 8% make over $100k, compared to 27% for the city. Columbus incomes are much more concentrated in middleincome ranges, while Linden’s tend to concentrate in lowerincome ranges.
As Columbus has gained more high-income residents, the share of Linden’s moderate income households earning $50,000 to $100,000 annually increased from 22% in 2017 to 32% as of 2023, while the slight majority (52%) of households have incomes under $35,000, compared to 64% in 2017.
Income by Tenure
by Census Tract (2016-2022)
Census ACS (S2503)
The gap between renter and owner incomes remains large, but is shrinking due to renter incomes increasing at a faster rate than owner incomes.
Households by Income
by Study Area Boundary (2023)
Median Household Income
by Census Tract (2016-2022)
Census ACS (S1903, S2001, S2503)
Income disparities still persist but with a gap decrease.
40% of Linden households earn less than $25,000. While Linden households tend to be lower income, Columbus incomes are more evenly distributed.
The total number of housing units in the study area dropped by 7% between 2010 to 2023 in Linden but rose by 14% for Columbus. Most of this loss can be attributed to the demolition of vacant units which served as a means to stabilize the neighborhood’s housing stock. The share of owneroccupancy units remained similar during this time while renter-occupancy units increased by 9%.
Linden Housing Occupancy
by Study Area Boundary (2016-2023)
Over half of vacant units in Linden were removed from the housing stock between 2016 to 2023.
Housing Unit Occupancy by Study Area Boundary (2010-2023)
The proportion of renters increased at a higher rated than owners for both Linden and Columbus.
Emergency Shelter Households Served
by Zip Code (2016-2023)
Community Shelter Board
Despite a changing housing market, Linden residents are less likely to receive emergency shelter than in 2016
Zip
Codes with at
Least
50 Parcels Owned in Study Area by Study Area Boundary (2023)
According to the Community Shelter Board, the number of households served emergency shelter fell by 20% between 2016 to 2023 for zip code 43211. This is a similar trend to the other zip codes assessed. Between 2019 to 2023, eviction filings were at their highest point for most zip codes in 2019.
45% of Linden property owners reside within zip code 43211. The majority of other Linden property owners that own more than 50 properties reside within Franklin County, except for 45414 which is a Dayton, OH zip code. Notably, VineBrook Homes is located in this Dayton area zip code and owns 110 single-family properties within the study area, all purchased between 2018 to 2023.
Only 46% of housing units are owned by residents of the 43211 zip code 12 of the 23 zip codes with ownership of more than 50 Linden parcels are located outside of Columbus.
Top 10 Zip Codes for Foreclosures
The yearly total for foreclosures in Linden more than doubled between 2021 to 2023, while Franklin County only saw a 21% increase during this same period.
Zip code 43211 had the third highest number of foreclosures in Franklin County between 2021 to 2024, accounting for 7% of all foreclosures during this period. Rising housing costs will continue to exacerbate this trend, with 2023 foreclosures equal to both 2021 and 2022 foreclosures combined.
Eviction filings fell for all zip codes between 2019 to 2020 but have quickly climbed since COVID-related eviction moratoriums were lifted, with some zip codes exceeding their 2019 figures by 2023. While zip code 43211 has yet to return to its pre-COVID levels of eviction filings, it is quickly rising to that point, with the 7th highest eviction filing rate in Franklin County at 13.5%.
Top 5 Zip Codes for Foreclosures by Quarter
(2021 Q1-2024 Q1)
Franklin County Eviction Filing Rate
by Zip Code (2018-2023)
Franklin County Auditor
Linden Yearly Eviction Filing
Franklin County Auditor by Study Area Boundary (2019-2023)
Eviction filings fell because of COVID related moratoriums, but are rebounding to pre-2020 levels The eviction rate for zip code 43211 is much higher than the Franklin County average of 9%.
Top 10 Zip Codes by Eviction Filing Rate
by Study Area Boundary (2019-2023)
Housing Choice Vouchers as a
Percent of Renter Households
by Zip Code (2024)
The majority of rentals that accept Housing Choice Vouchers are within Columbus boundaries.
12% of households in 43211 receive housing choice vouchers as of 2024, and it is the 5th highest zip code for voucher recipients in the county.
The 43211 zip code has the second highest number of tax delinquent parcels in Franklin County, totaling over $2 million and making up 9% of all delinquent parcels in the county.
Top Zips for Housing Choice Vouchers as a Percent of Renter Households by Zip Code (2024)
Affordable housing is vital to Linden, with 12% of households receiving Housing Choice Vouchers
Zip Codes for Tax
Households with 30% or More of Income
Towards Housing Cost in the Past 12 Months
by Census Tract (2016-2022) Percent Difference from 21016
Owner-Occupied
Renter-Occupied
Note: no Linden renter or owner earning $75,000 or more spent more than 30% of their income on housing costs.
Housing costs are rising substantially for Linden renters; 87% of household monthly costs were under $999 in 2016, but shrank to 48% by 2022.
Households with Mortgage
by Census Tract (2022)
Census ACS (S2507)
The number of households that spend more than 30% of income towards housing increased or stayed the same for all residents, regardless of income, in Linden between 2016 to 2022. This aligns with citywide trends. Renters are much more likely to spend more than 30% of their income on housing in Linden, at 53% of all renters compared to 31% of owners. 93% of renters that earn less than $35,000 are spending more than 30% of that income towards rent.
Mortgages are significantly more affordable in Linden than for Columbus, with a lower average payment and less income towards the payments.
Linden Columbus
75% of Linden housing was valued under $100,000 in 2023 but are projected to fall to 58% of the total housing stock by 2028. In contrast, the share of housing priced above $100,000 is expected to rise. A similar trend is occurring for Columbus, but for housing under $200,000, which is expected to fall from 40% to 28% while the share of housing above $200,000 will rise. Housing market trends in Linden align with trends in the city’s housing market, but home values are still significantly more affordable than the Columbus average.
Housing Units by Value and Projecte d Value
by Study Area Boundary (2023-2028)
Esri BA Market Profile
$500,000 to $749,999
$400,000 to $499,999
$300,000 to $399,999
$200,000 to $299,999
$100,000 to $199,999 < $99,999
Monthly Housing Costs by Tenure
The proportion of homes valued under $99,999 is expected to shrink and all housing above $100,000 is expected to grow by 2028. Owner-Occupied Renter-Occupied
While renter’s housing costs are rising at alarming rates for Linden and Columbus overall, housing costs have remained relatively stable for homeowners.
Code violations in Linden were much lower by 2023 than in 2018, dropping by 35%. Columbus overall saw a drop in code violations during this time, but the drop was much smaller than Linden’s, at 12%. The number one code violation type in Linden was for environmental health, which accounted for 49% of all violations between 2018 to 2023.
Code Violations by Type
by Zip Code (2018-2023)
1Normalized by 1,000 residents.
Code Complaints per Capita1
By Select Zip Code (2018-2023)
*Normalized by 1,000 residents
Code Complaints per Capita1
by Top Zip Code (2018-2023)
Code complaints per capita rose in Linden between 2013 to 2023, but appear to have peaked in 2018, as complaints are gradually falling since.
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELLBEING
Zip code 43211 was the 5th highest zip code in Columbus for 911 calls between 2018 to 2022. While the rate of 911 calls in the zip code are high, they also fell significantly, by 21%, during this period. The number one call type was for disturbances, accounting for 13% of all calls.
The types of 911 calls received in Linden mostly align with Columbus.
The largest difference is for ShotSpotter alerts, with the proportion of total calls in Linden 3.3% higher than Columbus
Top 10 911 Call Types
by Study Area Boundary (2018-10/2023)
Top 10 43211 311 Requests
by Zip Code (2019-2023)
of Total 43211 requests
The number of 311 requests remained generally the same between 2019 to 2022.
Linden is much more likely to experience all types of crime compared to Columbus, according to Esri’s Crime Index. The difference in their indexes is greatest for assault, personal crime, robbery, burglary, and murder.
The Crime Index indicates the likelihood of a crime occurring in an area, and assesses the following crime types: assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, murder, rape, and robbery. The index values are based on the national average, represented as 100. So crime indexes above 100 are above the national average for that type of crime, while below 100 indicates a lower than average amount of crime.
Between 2018 to October 2023, the number one violent crime in Linden was domestic violence (18% of all violent crime). For property crime, the number one crime was motor vehicle theft (26% of all property crime).
Crime
Index
by Study Area Boundary (2023)
2Esri represents the likelihood of overall crime occurring for an area through its total crime index. This graphic compares specific crime type indexes for Linden that are above the area’s total crime index. These indexes are also compared to the same index types for Columbus.
Crime Indexes Greater than Total Crime Index2
by Study Area Boundary
(2023)
Franklin County Crime Index
by Zip Code (2023)
Esri BA Crime Summary
Zip code 43211 has the 11th highest crime index of the 44 zip codes assessed.
Linden
Columbus
Franklin County
Roads
Railroads
WHITEHALL
Violent crime and property crime are taking up an increasing portion of all crime in the neighborhood. While the number of other types of crime fell between 2018 to 2022, violent crime rose by 9% and property crime rose by 41%. The total share of these two crime types rose from 69% of all crimes in 2018 to 83% in 2022.
Between 2018 to 2022, crime in Linden peaked in 2019. The area did see a dip in crime in 2020 and 2021, likely due to the COVID pandemic. This trend was reversed in 2022 as crime once again rose, and while the area had a higher number of crimes in 2022 than in 2018 (a 2% increase), it has yet to reach its 2019 peak.
Total Crime Heat Map
by Study Area Boundary (2018-Oct 2023)
Columbus Department of Public Safety
Crime in Linden increased slightly between 2018 to 2022, by 2%.
Low Crime
High Crime Linden
Violent Crime Heat Map
by Study Area Boundary (2018-Oct 2023)
Columbus Department of Public Safety
Domestic Violence is the number one violent crime in Linden, making up 18% of all violent crime.
Property Crime Heat Map
by Study Area Boundary (2018-Oct 2023)
Columbus Department of Public Safety
Motor vehicle theft is the number one property crime in Linden, making up 26% of all property crime.
Linden
Linden
High Crime
Low Crime
39% of Linden households receive SNAP benefits, a drop from 47% in 2016. This drop may in part be attributed to an increase in incomes for residents in the neighborhood, meaning that less residents would qualify for these types of benefits. The drop in households receiving benefits aligns with citywide trends.
4 of the 7 Linden study area census tracts are not within a grocery store’s half mile radius, with the other 3 tracts having low to medium access to these stores. 3 of 7 census tracts have low to medium access to grocery stores within 1 mile of the store locations, and the other tracts have medium to high access.
15% of Linden residents are uninsured, compared to 9% for Columbus. Medicaid is a vital resource for the area, making up 51% of insured residents, compared to 25% of Columbus residents
According to the CDC, Linden ranges from high to very high on their Social Vulnerability Index. The SVI is measured by census tract, with all Linden tracts considered to have a high to very high index. The tracts surrounding Linden vary greatly in their SVI. Tracts directly west of Linden tracts tend to have low to medium vulnerability, while tracks east of Linden tend to have high to very high vulnerability.
Health Insurance Coverage
by Census Tract (2022)
Census
(B27010)
The CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index utilizes Census data to determine socially vulnerable areas throughout the United States. 16 variables are measured that cover socioeconomic status, household characteristics, racial and ethnic minority status, and housing type and transportation. Scores range from 0 to 1, with 0 being the least vulnerable and 1 the most vulnerable.
CDC Social Vulnerability Index
by Census Tract (2022)
Households Receiving SNAP Benefits
by Census Tract (2016-2022)
Census ACS (DP03)
Since 2016, less Linden households rely on SNAP benefits, but the area still utilizes these benefits at a much higher rate than the city average.
North Linden rates high and South Linden very high on the Social Vulnerability Index, along with other communities in Columbus that form the upside down “T” Redline Map.
Linden
Grocery Store Access by Census
Tract .5 Miles
by Census Tract (2024)
- 100.0% (High Access)
- 75.0% (Medium to High Access)
-
(Low to Medium Access)
0.1% - 25.0% (Low Access)
Grocery Store Access by Census Tract 1 Mile
by Census Tract (2024)
Columbus Public Health
Conventional Grocery Store
Ethnic Grocery Store
0.0% (No Access)
Linden census tracts range from no access to medium access for grocery stores within a half-mile radius.
-
(High Access)
- 75.0% (Medium to High Access)
- 50.0% (Low to Medium Access) 0.1% - 25.0% (Low Access)
0.0% (No Access)
Linden census tracts range from low to high access for grocery stores within a onemile radius.
Linden
Franklin County Infant Mortality per 1,000 Births
by Zip Code (2014-2023)
Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics
Zip code 43211 has the highest rate of Infant mortality in Franklin County, at 17.9 per 1,000 births.
Franklin County Low Birth Weight Births
by Zip Code (2018-2022)
Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics
Zip code 43211 has the highest percentage of low birth weights in Franklin County, at 16%.
WHITEHALL
Based on Celebrate One data, health outcomes for zip code 43211 infants are some of the worst in the county. The following metrics were assessed, with the Linden zip code in the top 5 for all but infant deaths due to prematurity:
• Preterm Birth: 18%
• Infant Mortality: 17.9 per 1,000 births
• Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: High
• Low Birth Weight: 16%
• Smoking Mothers: 21%
• Infant Deaths Due to Prematurity: N/A
• Teen Births: 47.9 per 1,000 births
Franklin
County Mothers Smoking While Pregnant
by Zip Code (2018-2022)
Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics
Zip code 43211 has the 4th highest percentage of mothers smoking while pregnant in Franklin County, at 21%.
Franklin County Preterm Birth Rate
by Zip Code (2022-2023)
Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics
Franklin County Sleep-Related Infant Death Rate
by Zip Code (2014-2023)
Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics
Zip code 43211 has the highest rate of preterm births in Franklin County, at 18%.
8 out of 40 zip codes assessed have a high rate of sleep related infant deaths, including zip code 43211.
WHITEHALL
Franklin
County Teen
by Zip Code (2018-2022)
Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics
Birth Rate
Franklin County Trees per Square Mile by Census Tract (2023)
Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks, Esri Business Analyst
Zip code 43211 has the 3rd highest teen birth rate in Franklin County, at 47.9 per 1,000 births.
Linden has a higher than average number of trees per square mile, at 1,651 trees.
Linden
WHITEHALL
EDUCATION
COVID-19 greatly impacted school systems throughout the country, and Columbus was no exception. The effects of the pandemic still impact today’s schools and should be considered when assessing education data. Linden feeder pattern schools were impacted just as much as other schools throughout Columbus. In fact, there are a variety of factors that likely impacted Linden households more than those in higher income neighborhoods: lack of internet or computers at home, increased cost of meals previously provided during school hours, lack of child care for parents who must work during school hours (or lack of income to pay for said child care), increased impacts on mental health, and various other factors.
Enrollment at all 3 of the Linden K-6 public schools fell by 17%20% between 2016 to 2023. Of the 2 Linden public high schools, Columbus Alternative High School enrollment dropped by 7%, while Linden-McKinley STEM Academy enrollment rose by 14%.
All Linden public school’s attendance fell between 2016 to 2023. While most drops in attendance for Linden schools are around or under the Columbus City Schools average of 9%, Linden-McKinley STEM Academy had a much larger drop of 20%. Both Columbus Alternative High School and Linden STEM Academy have higher rates of attendance than the Columbus average, while other Linden schools are below the average, with Linden-McKinley STEM Academy at the lowest attendance for 2023 (18% below average).
High school graduation rates are improving for Linden public schools, reflecting wider trends across the city. In the 20222023 school year, Columbus Alternative High School’s graduation rate of 97% greatly outperforms the city average (80%), Linden-McKinley STEM Academy is significantly behind, at a 58% graduation rate.
absenteeism increased drastically across the city between 2017 to 2023, from 36% to 58%. For the 2022-2023 school year, the average rate of chronic absenteeism for Linden public schools was higher than the city average, at 71%, compared to the city’s 58%.
Only around half of K-6 students are meeting early literacy requirements for Columbus City Schools, with Linden public schools lagging slightly behind with rates between 43-48%.
Internal trends for the Linden public schools show that K-6 schools generally perform similarly to one another, while the two high schools vary significantly in their results, with Columbus Alternative High School lagging significantly behind Linden-McKinley STEM Academy across observed metrics.
Since the release of the One Linden report, chronic
Columbus City Schools Metrics
Study Area Feeder Pattern Schools (2016-2022)
Ohio School Report Cards, Graduation Rate
School
Student performance was impacted by the COVID pandemic, but K-3 literacy improved between 2016 to 2023.
market studies
INTRODUCTION
To assess the progress of the One Linden Plan, the NDC engaged the consultant team Development Strategies to conduct housing and retail market studies. Their main tasks included:
Regional Context
• Identifying trends and changes in the retail and housing markets since the One Linden Plan was finalized in 2017.
• Updating demand projections for retail and housing in the Study Area.
• Auditing the priorities and strategies outlined in the One Linden Plan based on the market analysis results.
This section summarizes their findings, which include illustrations from their detailed existing conditions presentation.
Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
SOCIOECONOMIC & DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
Development Strategies uncovered some compelling trends in their socioeconomic and demographic analysis that highlight the evolution of the Columbus region over the last decade. The Columbus region grew substantially during the last decade, adding more than 300,000 new residents since 2010. This remarkable growth can be largely attributed to the rise of high-paying knowledgesector jobs, which have become a magnet for talent.
Columbus is also seeing an influx of college graduates moving in from other parts of Ohio, further enriching our workforce and reassuring its reputation as a brain drain region. Additionally, the region has benefited from increased immigration, with foreign-born residents now making up about ten percent of Franklin County’s population. This diversity is a vital part of what makes this community vibrant and dynamic. The Linden neighborhood shows
Regional Context
Franklin County Migration Trends
Franklin County Migration Trends
From 2016 to 2020, nearly 9,000 people immigrated to Franklin County.
Top Countries of Origin (2016-2020)
Linden is home to large Somali and Hispanic immigrant communities.
Key Themes
Stakeholder Interviews
WHAT THE DATA SAYS WHAT WE HEARD
Linden is becoming a more demographically diverse community. There is a desire to embrace diversity while avoiding displacement of longterm residents in this majority Black neighborhood.
Linden’s home values have risen rapidly; as a result, both renters and owners are facing burdensome housing costs and growing housing insecurity.
Since 2017, Linden has lost around 2,500 Black residents, while gaining around 900 Hispanic residents and 2,000 Mixed-race residents.
Linden’s housing stock needs to diversify to retain residents “from cradle to grave,” or across their lifespans.
Based on proposed 2023 Franklin County Auditor Assessments, the median home value has well over doubled since 2020.
Crime and violence—both real and perceived—dissuade inmigration, visitation, and even new housing development in Linden.
Single-family homes account for 91% of total stock — around 82% of which are small homes, from 600 to 1,400 SF.
Analysis of retail demand and supply reveals a roughly 50,000 SF undersupply of grocery and pharmacy retailers in the Study Area.
Overall crime rates are 44% higher in Linden compared to Columbus and 95% higher when compared to the national average.
Linden residents have few retail options in their community, which are generally limited to service-oriented businesses. In particular, residents lack access to grocery stories, pharmacies, and retail.
Based on stakeholder discussions held on January 18th, 2024
Source: Esri (2023), Placer.ai (2023), STI (2023), ACS (2022), Franklin County Auditor (2023), Development Strategies
an inspiring turnaround. Since 2010, Linden has added around 1,600 residents, reversing years of population decline. Today, the neighborhood is home to 17,700 residents, up from 16,100 in 2010, down from 19,100 in 2000, according to Esri data. This growth has been fueled by a significant influx of New Americans, leading to a more racially and ethnically diverse community, especially among mixedrace and Hispanic populations.
As Columbus attracts higher-income residents, we’re also seeing changes in Linden’s economic landscape. The percentage of moderate-income households earning between $50,000 and $100,000 has risen from 22% in 2017 to 32% in 2023.
At the same time, the share of households earning under $35,000 has decreased from 64% to 52%. These shifts reflect the broader changes happening across Columbus and Linden, showcasing the region’s ongoing transformation.
Linden is becoming more diverse
Household income rose slightly.
Retail inventory decreased, but is stabilizing.
Linden has a higher percentage of people of color than the city.
Retail inventory steadily grew citywide, in contrast to the fluctuating pattern in Linden.
Linden in Context
HOUSING MARKET STUDY
Introduction
The consultant team examined the housing landscape in Columbus, with a specific focus on the Linden neighborhood, which has been significantly impacted by broader national and regional trends. Over the past two decades, rising construction costs and an insufficient housing supply have contributed to a critical inventory shortage, exacerbating affordability challenges for residents.
Despite Columbus experiencing substantial job growth, projected to add nearly 100,000 jobs by 2030, housing development has lagged behind, creating a disparity between job availability and suitable housing options. According to the City of Columbus, this region needs 1 (one) house for every 1 (one) job to accommodate growth, but currently, this ratio is 1 (one) house for every 2.5 (two and a half) jobs.
National Housing Challenge Impact of National Trends
Impact of Regional Trends
In Linden, where the majority of the housing stock consists of older single-family homes, the lack of new development has led to a precarious rental market, with rising costs pushing longterm residents towards displacement. This analysis not only highlights the urgent need for diverse and affordable housing options but also underscores the importance of strategic planning to address the community’s evolving needs amid ongoing economic growth.
Columbus Housing Context
Columbus’ housing landscape is grappling with significant challenges driven by rising construction costs and a growing demand for homes. As the job market expands rapidly, the pace of housing development has not kept up, leading to a widening gap between available units and the increasing workforce. This imbalance is further exacerbated by a disparity between rising housing costs and stagnant incomes, creating a pressing need for innovative housing solutions. Addressing these issues is essential for ensuring that all residents can find affordable housing in a thriving economic environment.
The housing context has been shaped heavily by national and regional trends, including the following:
+ Nationally, construction costs rose substantially over the past two decades, with a 40% increase alone from 2012 to Housing Has Become Much More Expensive In
Study Area (CoStar)
Linden’s rental market is dominated by single-family and small scale (<10 unit) properties, with few large multi-family developments. As a result, there is a wide disparity between market rents by source. However, given Linden’s housing stock and the regional market, Zillow data is likely more accurate, giving an increase of 35% in less than 3 years.**
Columbus(Zillow) 43211ZIPCode(Zillow)
Linden
2019. This trend has made it more difficult to develop housing of all types, especially affordable and moderately-priced homes.
+ Construction has failed to keep up with demand nationally, culminating in an inventory shortage of 6.3 million housing units between 2001 and 2022.
+ To address the supply gap, multi-family construction is ramping up and, in March 2023, reached 960,000 units under construction – a pace of development not seen since the 1970s
+ Columbus’ job market is expanding rapidly, with nearly 100,000 jobs projected to be added in the Columbus/Central Ohio region by 2030.
+ Regionally, housing development has failed to keep up with growth; there were 2.5 jobs added in the Columbus MSA for every housing unit built between 2009 and 2019, whereas a ratio of 1.5 jobs per housing unit is considered sustainable.
+ Incomes have failed to keep up with housing costs: from 2000 to 2020, the median rent in Franklin County rose 84% while the median household income rose just 46%.
Housing
Has Become Much More Expensive In Linden Growth
in Home Values
Growth in Home Values
Linden Households are Struggling to Keep Up
Defining Affordability For Buyers Median Home Value
median housing value in Columbus in 2023
median housing value in Linden in 2023 in Columbus cannot afford that price in Linden cannot afford that price
Defining Affordability For Renters
Housing Cost Burden Owners
> 50% of income spent on housing
35% - 50% of income spent on housing
30% - 35% of income spent on housing
< 30% of income spent on housing
Housing Cost Burden Renters
$1,160 per month to rent a 2-bedroom unit of safe and decent quality, including utilities
$22.40 hourly housing wage
> 50% of income spent on housing
35% - 50% of income spent on housing
19% of owner households in the study area are severely cost burdened, paying over 50% of their income on housing expenses, compared to 7% citywide.
30% - 35% of income spent on housing
< 30% of income spent on housing
One third of renter households in the study area are severely cost burdened, paying over 50% of their income on rent, compared to 21% citywide.
Linden Housing Context
Linden, an early inner-ring suburb, presents a complex housing landscape shaped by its historical context and recent market dynamics. Primarily consisting of single-family homes developed mid-20th century, the neighborhood has experienced significant demographic shifts and economic changes since the 1960s. This stagnation in housing development has resulted in a largely aging housing stock, with minimal new construction in recent years.
The community is predominantly rentalbased, with many single-family homes converted for this purpose, reflecting a growing demand for affordable living options. Despite a broader economic resurgence in Columbus, Linden has seen limited investment in multi-family housing, underscoring the need for greater diversification in its housing supply. Rising home values and rents have led to concerns about displacement and housing instability among long-term residents. While the area shows signs of revitalization, persistent challenges, such as a lack of diverse housing options and issues related to property management, continue to impede its potential for sustainable growth.
Property Values & Taxes
Between 2020 and 2023, assessed home values in Franklin County increased by 40% on average. Based on the estimated 2023 values, in Linden, the average home value more than doubled.
Eviction Rates
In the past year, of the over 22,000 evictions filed citywide, around 640 (3%) were of renter households in the Study Area’s ZIP code (43211).
Interestingly, despite the area’s high housing cost burden, this share is lower than the citywide rate (5% of renter households*). *22,170 eviction filings
Newly assessed values are based on recent sales data, which indicates that these increases occurred primarily within the last two years.
Analysis of Linden’s housing supply indicated key themes:
+ An early inner-ring suburb, Linden contains primarily single-family homes developed in the 1920s and late-1940s to 50s; per Esri, 82% of the housing stock is single-family homes, compared to 56% in the city.
+ Linden’s population began declining in 1960 as construction of the interstate system, loss of urban manufacturing jobs, and widespread disinvestment in cities prompted “White Flight” and growth of farther-out suburbs; consequently, housing development stalled and, today, 89 percent of Linden’s singlefamily stock dates from 1920 to 1960.
Limited New Construction has Occurred in Linden
Regional Multi-Family Deliveries
Housing Conditions Remain a Challenge
Supply Overview - Legacy of Redlining
Of the 31,135 units delivered in Columbus since 2010, only 100 were delivered in Linden.*
1936 Federal Home Owners’ Loan Corporation Map (“Redlining Map”) of Columbus depicts Linden as containing a mix of “still desirable” to “high risk” areas, based chiefly on their racial, ethnic, and economic makeup.
While Linden has changed significantly in the nearly 90 years since these maps were published, their effects proved pivotal in shaping historic development trends, job access, and socioeconomic conditions that continue to impact the community today.
Condition Rating for Residential Parcels
Within the study area, nearly 60% of residential parcels south of Hudson Street have a Fair condition rating.
Majority of parcels north of Hudson range from Good to Average.
Recession COVID
*Mulby Place opened in 2023
Housing Conditions Remain a Challenge
Residential Year Built
Linden Rental Market
All units in the study area are Class B or C.
Generally older
Modestly lower rental income
Sometimes professionally managed
Well-maintained
May have deferred maintenance
Typically 20+ years old
Generally in need of renovation
Significant deferred maintenance
Have the lowest rental rates
Housing supply key themes continued:
+ The Study Area added just 200 units since 2000, equivalent to about two% of the total supply.
+ Linden is majority (60%) renter and the rental market is comprised primarily of single-family rentals.
+ Since 2010, Columbus has added upwards of 31,000 multi-family units, of which only 100 units were in Linden, all contained in the senior LIHTC property, Mulby Place.
+ Three quarters (75%) of all multi-family units in the Study Area are Class C1 and the remaining are Class B, reflecting the lack of new multi-family development and the need to diversify housing options, including new construction
+ Columbus’ economic and population growth over the last decade has generated new investment in the housing stock, including in Linden: the average home value grew from $24,000 in 2013 to $119,000 by 2023—roughly quintupling—while home values citywide increased 160%.
1 Multi-family properties are generally categorized into one of three classes based on their rent rates, age, design, amenities, and condition. Class A properties are typically the newest, highest-end, and most “in demand” properties that tend to have the highest rents and most competitive amenity package within the market. Class B properties are usually wellmaintained, comparatively dated, and still professionally managed, though frequently have incurred deferred maintenance and require upgrades, with rent rates considered moderate for the market. Finally, Class C properties are the oldest on the market, generally needing significant renovation and updating, lack all but basic amenities, are often not professionally-managed, and have the lowest rent rates.
Access to Jobs Paying Living Wages Will Be Key Job Proximity Index
Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) are regions centered around urban cores with at least 10,000 people, including nearby counties with strong commuting and economic ties.
From 2010 to 2020 there was a loss of 280 jobs in the Linden Study Area. From 2010 to 2020 there was a an increase of 72,900 jobs in Columbus.
Linden Study Area Employment 2010 Jobs 2020 Jobs
2010 Jobs
2020 Jobs
+ $24,000 in 2013 to $119,000 by 2023—roughly quintupling—while home values citywide increased 160 percent.
+ Escalating prices are due in part to heightened home “flipping” activity, associated with trends of declining housing vacancy from near 22% in 2016 to 12% in 2023, though substantial appreciation was seen even among homes that received no upgrades.
+ Average rents increased 35% from March 2021 to November 2023, despite no new marketrate units delivered.
+ As prices continue to rise, Linden’s longterm residents are increasingly at risk of displacement; for instance, the neighborhood’s average assessed property value more than doubled between 2020 ($49,200) and 2023 ($107,600).
+ Rent growth has increased the risk of eviction and resulting housing instability, as 3% of renter households in the 43211 Zip Code faced eviction filings in 2023.2
2 Long-term COVID-19 programs, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, have temporarily limited the number of successful evictions citywide since 2020, though the potential for rates to rise as these funds expire in coming years is of major concern among philanthropic, non-profit, and institutional leadership in Linden and the city at large.
5,930
1,168
Columbus Job Growth Will Fuel Housing Demand
Linden Study Area Workers and Residents
Linden Study Area
Housing Conditions
Supply Overview—Challenges
+ Overall, Linden’s housing conditions and market performance have improved greatly in recent years – its population is growing once again and, with a marketable housing stock near major regional destinations, the area is primed for revitalization.
+ However, many of Linden’s long-term challenges persist, such as the limited diversity of housing options, poorlymanaged and maintained properties, and structural barriers to accessing jobs, transportation, and amenities. With investment emerge new challenges, particularly growing absentee and institutional ownership of single-family homes.3
The analysis of housing demand in Linden reveals significant and ongoing affordability challenges for residents. Many households struggle to find safe and decent rental options within their budget, highlighting a critical gap between income levels and housing costs. This situation is exacerbated by a limited supply of affordable housing, with a substantial number of residents facing cost burdens that strain their finances. While Linden benefits from its proximity to key job centers, the lack of diverse housing options restricts residents’ access to better employment opportunities. Furthermore, projections indicate a growing population in the region, underscoring the urgent need for additional housing units to accommodate future demand. Addressing these affordability issues is essential not only for attracting new residents but also for ensuring that long-term residents have viable options to remain in the community. As Linden seeks to revitalize, a balanced approach that includes the preservation of existing affordable units and the development of new housing types will be crucial for creating a sustainable and inclusive neighborhood.
3 According to data from the Franklin County Assessor, 19% of residential parcels in Linden are owned by entities or individuals outside of Ohio. Just 41% of the Study Area’s residential parcels have owners within the 43211 Zip Code.
HOUSING CHALLENGES
rapidly rising property values, rents, and taxes
community perception
quality of housing stock
eviction and foreclosure risk
development feasibility
lack of trust
poorly managed properties
diversity of stock
proximity to affluent neighborhoods
transit connectivity
population retention
loss of Black residents
speculative and
Supply Overview—Opportunities
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
proximity to job centers and downtown
LIHTC, mixedincome, and senior development
permanent for-sale affordability through community land trust
forthcoming Linden Green Line
expanding employment opportunities
infill development
historic and attractive housing stock
philanthropic and nonprofit investment
greenspace and parks
availability of developable parcels
declining vacancy community organizations and shared identity
immigration and New
absentee ownership
age of housing violence
school performance
neighborhood amenities
historic and ongoing systemic racism
Americans
new community center
corridor and transit investment
streetscape improvements
higher density and mixed-use development
rehab potential
10-Year Demand
Linden Neighborhood: Moderate and Aggressive Growth Scenarios
4,520 qualifying households
650 units
There are 650 dedicated affordable units in the study area, 1.7% of the city’s supply.
+ According to HUD, it costs $1,160 per month to rent a safe and decent two-bedroom unit in the Columbus MSA, translating into a “housing wage” of $22.40/hour, or $45,700 per year without the household facing cost burden.4
+ More than two-thirds of renter households in Linden cannot afford the “safe and decent” rent of $1,160 without being cost burdened.
+ Nearly half of households in the Study Area cannot afford the median home value in Linden (estimated at $119,000) without being cost burdened, while two-thirds of the households in the city cannot afford the median home value in Columbus ($232,000); consequently, Linden residents face a lack of housing choices, particularly those closer to jobs or desired amenities.
Owner Affordability
Linden Study Area—For-Sale Demand & Supply
4 A household is considered housing cost burdened if housing costs account for more than 30% of monthly income. “Severe” cost burden refers to households paying upward of 50% of income on housing costs.
Renter Affordability
Linden Study Area—Rental Demand & Supply
+ Nearly one-third of renter households and one-fifth of owner households in the Study Area are severely cost burdened, paying over 50% of income towards housing costs.
+ Approximately 4,500 households in the Study Area qualify for affordable housing, while there are only 650 units (1.7% of the city’s supply) of dedicated affordable housing; hence, there is a need to improve the quality of existing units while preserving their affordability and increase the production of affordable units.
+ Linden’s location provides accessibility to multiple job centers, including downtown and The Ohio State University. Growing the availability of affordable and diverse housing options can help leverage Linden’s proximity to these job centers and enhance its residents’ access to well-paying employment opportunities.
+ According to Esri data, comparing existing household affordability with the housing supply suggests that there are gaps at both ends of the household income spectrum:
Housing Affordability
Franklin County Long-Term Population Projections
By 2040 the county will have nearly 1.6 million residents.
• While there seems to be an oversupply of housing units that are affordable to households earning extremely low to very low incomes (less than 50% area
To accommodate these new residents annual permitting activity would have to double 20102021 activity.
By 2040 the study area could have 19,900 to 21,600 residents if growth follows recent trends.
To accommodate these new residents, 1,000 to 1,500 housing units are needed to support that growth.
Linden Neighborhood Long-Term Population Projections
median income [AMI] or $44,000), this does not account for the condition or desirability (number of bedrooms, suitability, accessibility, etc.) of these units.
• There is an undersupply of units affordable to households earning moderate to higher incomes (above 80% AMI, or $69,000); these households, while willing to pay higher housing costs, may be choosing to own or rent units that are priced lower due to the unavailability of the right or desired product.
• This analysis is indicative of the opportunity to capture some of the growth being experienced by the neighborhood and the city at large by bringing in new residents, while ensuring that longterm residents have enough housing options to choose from to stay in the neighborhood.
+ If the current regional growth trends continue, Franklin County is projected to have 1.6 million residents by 2040. Considering Linden’s current annual growth rate of 0.7% and factoring in for a population growth interval ranging from conservative to moderate, Linden will need approximately 850 to 1,200 housing units to meet demand over the next 10 years. This includes:
• Nearly 40 units (15 for-sale and 25 rental) in current, or pentup, demand that represents housing units needed to create a more balanced market today. This includes replacement housing for units in poor condition, as well as new units better suited to meeting household needs, such as units with more bedrooms.
• 255 to 360 units of housing for older adults (60 to 90 affordable units, 130 to 180 traditional market-rate units, 40 to 55 downsizing units, 8 to 12 independent living units, and 15 to 20 assisted living units). It is important to expand options for older adults so they can stay in the neighborhood if they want
Apartments
to downsize or move out of their existing home.
• 560 to 665 units of affordable housing for households earning less than 60% of AMI, or $52,800, (450 to 535 rental, 105 to 130 for-sale).
• 200 to 370 units of moderately-priced housing for households earning 60% to 120% of AMI, or $52,800 to $105,600, (70 to 130 rental, 130 to 240 for-sale) and,
• 55 to 130 units of market-rate housing for households earning above 120% AMI, or above $105,600 (10 to 30 rental, 45 to 100 for-sale).
+ Most of this demand will be met through new construction because of relatively low vacancy in the neighborhood, meaning there is limited opportunity to add units by renovating existing vacant units.
+ Preserving existing affordable housing options will continue to be an important element of meeting housing demand. The demand calculations include a shift in housing types to include more missing middle typologies over time.
A More Balanced Supply
Demand by Typology A More Balanced Supply
Multi-generational family
Move into a bigger home/add an ADU unit to accommodate the family
Move out of the neighborhood/find home elsewhere
Rent a single-family home, taking it off-market
Senior Household
Downsize to an available unit within the neighborhood
Stay in the same unit
Keep renting Single Parent Household Young Professionals
Move into a market-rate apartment building
Move into a small home
Linden’s Rental Market is Becoming More Expensive Average Rents (Zillow Observed Rental Index)
According to Zillow, the median rent in 43211 ZIP code is currently $1,180 - well above the multifamily rent provided by CoStar.
By this metric, the median rent rose 35% between March 2021 and November 2023.
highlights the key issues in the local market below. Recently, housing costs have risen significantly, risking displacement for many households without more affordable options. While the number of households has grown, new housing development hasn’t kept pace, leading to ongoing challenges. Additionally, access to jobs with livable wages is crucial for improving housing stability for residents.
+ Housing has become much more expensive
in Linden in a relatively short time frame.
+ Linden households are struggling to keep up with the housing costs and are at risk of displacement if new, attainable options are not added to the neighborhood.
+ While the neighborhood has seen substantial growth in the number of households,
+ Limited new housing has been built to keep up with the increased demand.
+ Housing conditions remain a challenge and are an important element to address to improve housing stability.
+ Access to jobs paying livable wages will be a key part of improving housing opportunities.
Environment National Context
RETAIL MARKET
STUDY
The consultant team assessed the market conditions of the Linden study area to understand not just the current market conditions of the area, but also how they have changed over time and are projected to change into the future. This analysis was also supplemented by a comparison to Columbus to illustrate the unique conditions that are present in the neighborhood. Additionally, conditions vary across the neighborhood and were
represented as “nodes” of activity that were further assessed to explain these varying conditions throughout the area.
What is market analysis?
+ Market analysis seeks to determine a realistic program for future retail development by analyzing existing and projected demographic trends, physical conditions, and market performance.
+ Retail markets—even at the most local level—are shaped by (inter)national trends, including emergent technologies, consumer preferences, and economic and political environments.
+ Brick-and-mortar retail continues to be challenged by the rise of e-commerce and lingering economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Retail and Economic Development Study Area Context
The Linden study area benefits from its central location in the Columbus area. It is a close drive to major shopping centers and population centers. Residents with viable transportation have a variety of employment centers to work in which in turn supports the retail market of Linden. Linden also has the opportunity to capitalize on its central location by bringing in visitors from these surrounding areas by offering attractive retail options.
The Primary Market Area (PMA) of Linden represents 70% of market demand. PMA conditions are necessary to understand to address potential market changes in the Linden area. For example, if the PMA is already oversupplied in one type of business, then that business may not be able to thrive in Linden, compared to one that is underrepresented in the PMA.
Retail Environment
History of Development in Linden
The history of Linden is varied and influences its current conditions. The population was once larger, and its peak coincided with the rise of the automobile. This means that the neighborhood itself has a lot of physical space for growth. Future development in the area has the opportunity to fill in space that is now vacant and build housing types that support the area’s past population density.
+ Formally annexed by Columbus in 1921, Linden was an early inner-ring suburb that saw much of its population growth and commercial development during the 1940s and 50s.
+ Since retail development occurred during a period of mass adoption of personal vehicles, much of Linden’s supply is auto-related and designed to serve commuters.
+ Linden’s population decline that began in the 1960s heavily impacted retail, limiting resident support for local retail that once thrived along neighborhood commercial corridors.
Linden differs from its surrounding primary market area in a number of ways. Both populations are growing at roughly the same rate, but the Linden area is growing slightly faster. Households in Linden also tend to be larger than the surrounding area, and tend to both earn less income and thus spend less annually.
The retail supply for both the study area and the primary market area are both undersupplied, with demand exceeding supply.
+ Today, Linden has a total retail inventory of 300,000 S.F., while its residents can support approximately 650,000 S.F. based on household retail spending patterns.
Retail Analysis
Retail Purchasing Power
Retail Purchasing Power
Retail Demand by Product
How Much Retail Can Linden’s Residents Support?
Almost all retail categories are undersupplied in the Linden study area. The only categories that are oversupplied for the study area are auto-oriented retail (besides gas stations) as well as retailer services. The Linden retail market is severely lacking in retail categories that support resident health and wellbeing, such as grocery and drug stores.
The Linden market area on the other hand has a very different supply of retail categories. There is a much smaller gap between supply versus demand for categories, and a larger number of retail categories are oversupplied compared to the neighborhood. The market area is generally undersupplied in the same categories as Linden, but the supply is much closer to matching the demand.
Goods in Linden Study Area
Nearly all product categories are undersupplied in Linden, with the exception of auto-oriented retail and retail services
Nearly all product categories are undersupplied in Linden, with the exception of auto-oriented retail services.
Because of this undersupply, the vast majority of Linden residents’ day to day retail spending is captured outside of the community.
As a result, the vast majority of Linden residents’ day to day retail spending is captured outside of the community
-Supplied Goods in
Nearly all product categories are undersupplied in Linden, with the exception of
and
As a result, the vast majority of Linden residents’ day to day retail spending is captured outside of the community
Retail attracts outside spending
Over -Supplied Goods in Linden PMA
Retail Environment
Where do Linden Residents Shop?
Essential Retail—Frequented Grocery Stores
Essential Retail—Frequented Big Box Stores
Common Retail—Frequented Community Shopping Centers
The undersupply of retail options in Linden compared to resident demand suggests that residents are leaving the neighborhood to meet their daily retail needs. This translates into dollars that are not being spent at Linden businesses. It also poses an issue for the 20% of Linden households that lack a personal vehicle. Meeting retail demand in Linden not only supports the local economy and job market, but also walkability. If stores that meet residents daily needs are in close proximity to their household, then they do not need to rely on a vehicle to satisfy these needs. This is beneficial for residents without access to vehicles, as well as older populations and those with mobility issues.
% Share of Linden residents that visited in 2023
Retail Environment
Retail Supply and Demand Conclusions
+ Nearly all categories of retail are deeply undersupplied in the Study Area;
+ Much of Linden residents’ retail spending is captured outside of the Study Area,
a consequence of late-20th century migration, policy, and financial trends that consolidated retail investment in largescale suburban destinations.
+ This lack of accessible retail poses a major challenge for the approximately 1,400 households (20%) that lack personal vehicles.6
Linden Retail Market Inventory
Around half of retailers are auto-related, followed by food and beverage stores. However, together, both retail categories account for only 10% of occupied retail space.
6 As compared to the eight percent of households citywide that lack vehicle access (Esri, 2023).
While Linden’s retail stock declined between 2012 and 2021, vacancy remained low at under 4%.
Based on conversations with local commercial brokers, tenants, and landlords, move in-ready retail space in and around Linden typically leases at $12 to $18 PSF.
Rent rates are an important factor when retailers determine an optimal location for their brick and mortar business. While an area may have a clear need for a particular type of retailer, the costs of operation vary by retail sectors, and some may not be able to afford to meet the area’s demand if rents are too high for them to make a profit.
The cost per square foot of retail space in Linden are currently too high for most new businesses to consider opening in the area. While new supply of retail spaces could potentially lower the cost of renting these spaces, the cost per square foot is also too low to incentive building in the area.
+ Rent rates for move-in ready space fall within the $12 to $18 per square foot (PSF) range, which is too high for many local businesses and prospective entrepreneurs, yet too low to make feasible newly-built or rehabbed development.7
7 For the sake of comparison, per CoStar, retail space delivered in Columbus since 2010 has an average rent of $24 PSF. Storefront retail— the type most common in and appropriate for Linden’s relatively dense urban building stock—delivered citywide since 2010 has a market rent of $32 PSF.
Linden Regional PMA: “True” Retail
Retail Node Analysis
For this retail analysis, 3 nodes were selected in Linden due to their opportunity for catalytic retail development. These nodes were selected due to their central locations, existing assets, and potential to add new housing.
The three nodes are all located along major corridors, which provides easy access for shoppers that are both living in the Linden area as well as traveling from surrounding communities. While these nodes are all located along major corridors, they do differ in their retail conditions, with varying amounts of vacancy, availability of retail space, and rental costs for retailers.
The three nodes identified in the prior plan still present the greatest opportunity for catalytic retail development within the Study Area given their central locations, existing assets, and potential to add new housing.
+ Node 1: Hudson & I-71 offers the best opportunity for large-scale development of a grocery store or big box retailer in the Study Area due to the availability of large parcels, proximity to the interstate, and outside and seasonal visitation trends associated with activities at Fairgrounds.
Supply Analysis
Overview
+ Node 2: Cleveland & Myrtle, or “Downtown Linden”, has potential to act as a regional destination featuring a cluster of Caribbean restaurants and other unique dining offerings, supported additionally by the development of comparatively dense multi-family housing along Cleveland Avenue.
+ Node 3: 11th & Cleveland can build on existing placemaking efforts and the recently completed Linden Fresh Market to act as a center for locallyserving neighborhood and community retail, ideally bolstered by new multifamily and for-sale housing on major thoroughfares and within surrounding neighborhoods, respectively.
Overview of Retail Nodes
NODE 2: MYRTLE & CLEVELAND
EXISTING TENANTS
Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen LJ’s Auto Service
Marlan J. Gary Funeral Home
Overview of Retail Nodes
EXISTING TENANTS
Big Mal’s Linden Cafe
Linden Fresh Market
NODE 3: 11th AND CLEVELAND
Node 1
Node 1 has the highest amount of vacant retail space amongst the 3 nodes. Due in part to this higher level of vacancy, it is also has the lowest rents for retail space. This combination of available retail space and low rents make it ideal for potential retailers who are unable to afford to set up shop in other parts of the neighborhood. The node also serves the highest number of households and workers. This large pool of households also has the largest income amongst the 3 nodes. The area is ideal for the large-scale development of a grocery store or big box retailer for its availability of large parcels. A grocery or big box retailer would also be supported by the node’s close proximity to the interstate, which brings in outside visitors throughout the year, and the Fairgrounds, which bring in outside visitors seasonally. These new developments could potentially serve as anchors for the node which it is currently lacking.
Retail Node Analysis
Node 1: Hudson & I-71
Node 1: Hudson & I-71
Node 2
Node 2 has the lowest household income of the 3 nodes as well as number of workers. While there are less workers and lower incomes for the area, it actually has the highest amount of retail spending per household. The node has the largest amount of retail space as well as the most annual retail demand. This concentration of retail activity along the major commercial corridor makes it ideal to serve as a regional destination for the community. The area already has multifamily developments and unique retail destinations which support the node as the “downtown” for Linden, and could be further supported by increased retail activity and additional multifamily development.
Retail Node Analysis
Node 2: Cleveland & Myrtle
Node 2: Cleveland & Myrtle
Node 2: Cleveland & Myrtle
Node 3
Node 3 has the lowest number of households served among the 3 nodes. The area only has 65,000 square feet of dedicated retail space and currently has a 0% vacancy rate, meaning that the area will likely need additional retail development to occur before new retailers are able to move into the space, unless another retailer closes in the area. The area does have a large number of vacant lots as well as large parcels that are available for development making it an ideal location for new construction. The Linden Fresh Market is a recently developed anchor for the community, serving as a vital resource to the community serving free healthy foods as well as a pharmacy.
Retail Node Analysis
Node 3: 11th & Cleveland
Node 3: 11th & Cleveland
Retail Node Analysis
Demand, Supply, and Development Opportunity Conclusions
Informal Economic Activity
The division between the informal economy and formal economy is ambiguous. The formal economy is dependent on labor from the informal economy.
+ Linden’s informal economic assets like skill sets and social networks were built in response to market failures and provide earnings (and, therefore, retail demand) that are not quantified adequately by formal economic metrics.
+ Informal economic activities can readily be formalized via entrepreneurial and employment strategies for residents.
Informal Economic Activity
What might the informal economy look like in Linden?
Development of under recognized skill sets and wealth that can interact with the formal economy
Provision of goods such as groceries, that are undersupplied in the market
Care for residents and children, forming supportive social networks
How can we recognize the assets of Linden’s informal economy?
Job training, apprenticeship, and certification that formalizes skill sets
Access to seed capital for entrepreneurship and business incubation, as well as providing wages for elder and child care
Opportunity to provide subsidized retail space and small-scale vendor space, such as farmers markets
Remove barriers to accessing good jobs, while formalizing overlaps between informal and formal economies
+ As a means of strengthening Linden’s retail environment, community stakeholders and city leadership should explore creation of a novel citywide program to underwrite permanently affordable groundfloor retail space in rehabbed or newly constructed buildings located in historically disinvested neighborhoods and leased to qualifying small businesses.
+ In concept, this program would operate like a tax credit, providing a subsidy in the form of gap financing for development to make feasible rents that are affordable for small businesses, ideally at or below $12 PSF.
+ Commercial space should be developed at high-visibility locations, particularly the selected nodes in Linden,
supported additionally by curated anchor tenant, like a big box retailer.
+ This document can serve as a guide in curating highquality and qualified valueadding tenants to the Linden community that provide essential goods, like groceries, and/or reflect neighborhood cultural identities, based on resident feedback.
+ For this proposed subsidy program to succeed, it would need to be created in tandem with expanded programming to identify, support, and incubate new and prospective small businesses and entrepreneurs already located in the community.
• Tenant businesses should be curated on the basis of their capacity to meet underserved community needs, create employment opportunities, and catalyze further local economic development.
• While priority should be given to local businesses, affordable space could also be leased as studio or exhibition space for local artists and performers.
+ Specific details of this program would need to be developed as part of a larger small business ecosystem strategy for Columbus’ economically distressed neighborhoods.
Implementation
“If you don’t measure it, you don’t mean it”
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther
10 BIG IDEAS ImPLEMENTATION
The One Linden Plan contains a range of metrics, strategies, and recommendations that work in an integrated way to address key factors that were identified and prioritized. Members of the working groups, the advisory committee, and event attendees developed the 10 Big Ideas. The 10 Big Ideas are goals with action items that capitalize on Linden’s strengths as opportunities to make transformational change in the Linden community.
Since 2022, internal and external partners began assessing the plan’s progress. The following section outlines the plan’s Big Ideas and their 148 action items from the original plan, laying out the progress taken on each since the plan’s launch.
PLAN EVALUATION
Each Big Idea combines multiple issues to focus on a shared goal. These are re-examined in today’s context and given primary objectives for success moving forward. The key partners who have contributed to positive work on these ideas—city departments, community organizations, and more—are spotlighted, along with data from their efforts.
Action items from the original plan are sorted by working groups— education and workforce; health and safety; housing; retail and small business; and transportation. The original plan action items are then assessed on a scale from none (no progress) to achieved. The full scale
Assessing our progress as a community
is on the following page. Each has an accompanying advisory report, where committee members convened to evaluate the idea’s progress so far.
Finally, the original implementation tables were updated to include adjusted action items based on advisory committee feedback, documented partners, and assessed progress made. The 2018 recommended action items are assessed on the progress scale. The 2024 adjusted action items will guide continued action, leverage current partnerships, and establish new ones.
IMPLEMENTATION TABLES
Reading the Implementation Tables
Action Item
Actionable items are specific steps that contribute to achieving the larger goal. By breaking down the Big Idea into smaller, manageable parts, one can track progress incrementally and avoid overwhelming stakeholders.
Adjusted Action Item
Suggested updated action items are based on advisory committee input and market study assessment. These are listed in black below the original action items in grey.
Actual Partners
Actual partners are non-profits, city government, and local Linden organizations and private sector entities that are contributing to accomplishing the actionable item from the 2018 Plan and when applicable, the 2024 recommendations.
Key
Partners
A Key Partner is working to achieve at least one of the 148 action items defined in the plan.
Progress
Progress measures the advancement of each of the original plan’s actionable items. This provides a snapshot of what has been achieved and what remains to be done. The key defines how progress is measured.
Outcomes and Metrics
Outcomes and metrics are measurable or observable results of the actionable item. If we accomplish the actionable item, we will see the stated outcome or metric.
Time Frame
The time frame outlines the expected duration for implementing each actionable item. This will help set realistic goals and assist in managing resources effectively.
Five Key Areas
More information on each Big Idea can be found in the Appendix section, starting on page 168.
Progress Scale Key
There has been no visible progress on the goal, with both measurable data and conditions remaining unchanged or worsening, despite internal discussions. Appendix
The One Linden Plan focuses on five key areas that guide its implementation throughout the community. These goals were developed alongside community members through several working groups that represent a range of Linden stakeholders.
Some progress has been made toward the goal through the creation of programs and community efforts, but these initiatives are not yet widely implemented, and the nature of the problem has evolved, necessitating new strategies.
Significant progress has been made on complex goals linked to systemic socioeconomic challenges through successful neighborhood programs and new city services, though connecting residents to these resources remains difficult and the nature of the problems has evolved.
Specific goals have been fully achieved, such as passing laws and launching successful programs, resulting in significant improvements, but many complex qualitative issues persist, requiring ongoing community efforts to assess future progress.
Big Idea #1
Stabilize and Expand Housing Options
Housing is a major foundation for success, providing an anchor for individuals and families as other aspects of their lives may change. Stabilizing housing means reducing the cost-burden of housing on households, as well as controlling the proliferation of vacant structures in the neighborhood. Expanding housing options could occur by adding to the portfolio of housing types and price points to create a healthier mix in the community. Expansion also refers to the construction of new units on vacant lots, and refurbishing existing vacant/abandoned units to re-populate the neighborhood.
This Big Idea addresses two Key Areas—Housing and Education & Workforce. There are 13 Action Items that include improving structural conditions and increasing homeownership. Two of the action items have been adjusted based on feedback from the community, advisory committee, and actual partners.
Key Partners
Progress by the Numbers
In 2018, the Housing and Education & Workforce work groups recommended 13 Action Items. The information below illustrates the progress made to date.
items addressed: 13 of 13
Progress Scale
The Central Ohio Community Land Trust and Nationwide partnered to create homeownership opportunities for 28 Linden residents.
Homeport provides 100 units of senior living at Mulby Place.
Before photo of Nationwide Children’s Hospital Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Homes initiative home.
Before After
Action
CVS Health invested $13.7 million to renovate Rosewind Estates.
After photo of Nationwide Children’s Hospital Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Homes initiative home.
Big Idea #1
Linden Family Home Gets Renovated
Summarized from the Nationwide Children’s article “Renovating a Beloved Linden Family Home”
The Healthy Homes’ home repair program through Nationwide Children’s Hospital helped renovate the exterior of long-time Linden resident Regina Barnett’s home. The house had been in the family since 1976, and although she and her brother had been slowly renovating since 2017, repairs to the exterior were going to be extensive. Barnett applied for the Healthy Homes program and when accepted the inspectors agreed the home needed a new roof, windows, doors, porch railings, and siding.
The overhaul took a little over a month, and Barnett was excited to see that some of her neighbors had been hired on the contractor’s crew. Many of these neighbors had watched her grow up in the house. Barnett commented, “I am forever grateful. They did everything I wanted.” She has recommended the program to family and friends after the success of her house’s renovations.
To see the original article, go to: www.nationwidechildrens.org/about-us/populationhealth-and-wellness/healthy-neighborhoods-healthyfamilies/neighbors/healthy-homes-testimonial
Advisory Committee Report
Advisory Committee members identified the following challenges and barriers to stabilize and expand housing options:
• Instances of theft around construction sites
Advisory Committee members identified the following to support potential programs that will stabilize and expand housing options:
• Connect workers with resources and a path to financial stability
• Deepen relationships with police to be more visible on streets with active construction
Meeting 1: June 26, 2024
Big Idea #1
Create/support community land trust to acquire and lease property long-term to income-qualifying households
Add new housing units by bringing existing units online and constructing new units
Offer permanent affordability and prevent displacement City of Columbus COCIC Nationwide Children’s Hospital
City of Columbus COCIC
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
Healthy Homes
Habitat for Humanity CareSource
Increase housing and income diversity, reduce economic segregation
Attract a diversity of incomes to live in Linden (2018 Plan)
Attract higher incomes to live in Linden while expanding attainable housing options for long-term residents (2024 Recommendation)
Offer down payment assistance
Offer free or subsidized home maintenance programming for qualifying households (i.e. lawn care, porch painting, gutter cleaning)
of homeownership
Central Ohio Community Land Trust Homeport
Create mortgage lending program for people with lower credit scores (2018 Plan) Reduce barriers to homeownership/wealth-creation
Create programs to increase resident credit worthiness so that existing programs can be maximally utilized (2024 Recommendation)
of Columbus
Big Idea #1
Big Idea #2
Connect Residents to Employment
Despite Columbus’ low unemployment rate in 2018 (4.82%), the African-American unemployment rate was still 12.61%. The AfricanAmerican unemployment rate in Linden was 19.3%, with the rate in one census tract exceeding 36%. These figures point to a serious mismatch between unemployed persons and employers, one that recruitment, training, education, and transportation strategies will begin to address. Connecting residents to employment will prepare people for living wage jobs and find ways to ensure longevity and stability in those positions. Working with employers will be key to creating a pathway from unemployment to living wage security.
This Big Idea addressed three Key Areas—Transportation, Education & Workforce, and Retail & Small Businesses, with 12 Action Items that include improving transportation access and incentivizing hiring Linden residents. Eleven Action Items have been adjusted based on feedback from the community, advisory committee, and the actual partners.
Key Partners
Progress by the Numbers
In 2018, the Transportation, Retail & Small Business, and Education & Workforce work groups recommended 12 Action Items. The information below illustrates the progress made to date.
Scale
Remember Us Urban Legends (RUUL) Youth Employment Program.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital provides health care job experience.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital expanded their youth mentoring.
Participants in Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s youth employment program.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Boost program offers work readiness training.
Big Idea #2
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Connects Residents to Employment
Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s BOOST program offers training and coaching to Linden residents ages 18 and up. This program helps residents in getting fulltime jobs with a starting wage of $18 per hour. More than 250 residents have secured employment after graduating from BOOST and other workforce development programs the hospital sponsors.
Additionally, Linden residents aged 16 to 24 can participate in a paid summer work opportunity through the hospital. Participants have the chance to learn, build skills, and gain experience in a health care setting. These learning opportunities sometimes lead to full-time employment. Since 2021, more than 225 Linden residents have participated and 25 have received full-time employment offers.
Advisory Committee members identified the following challenges and barriers to connecting residents to employment: Advisory Committee Report
• Awareness of hiring incentives offered by employers
• The types of incentives offered by employers to Linden residents
• Transportation to employment centers from Linden
• Employers tend to hire outside of Linden
• Language barriers make job training programs inaccessible to some
• Residents are not incentivized to train in particular industries due to low pay
Advisory Committee members identified the following to support potential programs that will connect residents to employment:
• Partner with local businesses to offer trade programs through Linden-McKinley High School
• Offer workforce counseling and professional development opportunities at recreation centers
• Support a pop-up employment office
• Centralize employer resources for job seekers
• Engage with workforce development partners to build job training program
Meeting 1: July 31, 2024
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
250+ residents
have secured employment after graduating from BOOST or other workforce development programs the hospital sponsors
229 youth
have participated in a paid summer work opportunity gaining experience in healthcare
25 youth
have received full-time offers after the paid summer work opportunity
51 students
have participated in Nationwide Children’s High School Career Academy and explored healthcare careers since 2022
A participant of Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s youth employment program.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s youth employment program participants.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s youth employment program participants.
Speakers panel for Nationwide Children’s Hospital TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science program.
A participant of Nationwide Children’s Hospital TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) program.
Big Idea #2 Connect Residents to
Explore emerging transportation options like micro-transit and first-mile-last-mile (2018 Plan)
Support the LinkUS Columbus Initiative and associated initiatives (2024 Recommendation)
Consider monthly COTA bus vouchers for individuals participating in other programs (2018 Plan)
Expand C-Pass program to all Columbus residents working in the city that meet eligible income requirements (2024 Recommendation)
Coordinate carpooling network and communication among residents (2018 Plan)
Work with local organizations to build carpooling network (2024 Recommendation)
Create integrated cash-based payment system for multiple transportation modes (2018 Plan)
Allow for residents to add money to their COTA pass with cash at various locations, such as community centers or pay stations (2024 Recommendation)
access to employment centers
CoGo Columbus
Scooters
Work with Linden employers to identify job skills and offer training to area residents
Reduced transportation cost and better access to employment
Offer incentives to Linden employers who hire Linden residents (2018 Plan)
Increase awareness of employer resources (2024 Recommendation)
Increased skills and workforce readiness
Regional Planning Commission
CareSource
CVS Health
Greater Linden Business Network
Linden Economic Development Corporation
LYFE Savers
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
We Are Linden
The Empowerment Team
Big Idea #2
Offer workforce counseling, resume creation, and soft skill building curriculum (2018 Plan)
Hosts events and programming at community gathering spaces to offer these services (2024 Recommendation)
Offer wraparound supports to help people retain employment (2018 Plan)
Build awareness of wraparound resources offered by Columbus (2024 Recommendation)
Identify key employers to serve as a pipeline for Linden residents to obtain jobs (2018 Plan)
Allow for interaction between employers and residents through job fair events and pop-up employment offices (2024 Recommendation)
Consider transitional supports for people moving from public assistance to higher wages facings the loss of benefits (2018 Plan)
Work with partner agencies to develop support (2024 Recommendation)
Create centralized information hub for youth employment programs offered by partner organizations (2024 Recommendation)
Create formal relationship between Linden McKinley and trade training programs (2018 Plan)
Continue to work with established partners while working to build new partnerships (2024 Recommendation)
Improved job linkage and preparation
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
St. Stephen’s Community House
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
Retain people in the workforce, prevent loss of benefits from deterring higher earnings
Greater Linden Business Network
Linden Economic Development Alliance CareSource
Improved job linkage and preparation
St. Stephen's Community House Columbus Metropolitan Library
Big Idea #3
Reduce Crime and Improve Perception
Crime, both real and perceived, is an issue that has plagued the Linden community for decades. To tackle such a deep-rooted social problem, the collaboration of multiple stakeholders is required. One important recognition is that crime largely stems from social conditions and prevention is the best tactic—not incarceration. This Big Idea makes recommendations to help reduce crime and improve the public perception of Linden as a place to do live or do business.
This Big Idea addresses four Key Areas—Health & Safety, Housing, Education & Workforce, and Retail & Small Business, with 20 Action Items that include deterring crime through job opportunities and improving community relationships with police. Nine Action Items have been adjusted based on feedback from the community, advisory committee, and the actual partners.
Key Partners
Progress by the Numbers
In 2018, the Health & Safety, Housing, Retail & Small Business, and Education & Workforce work groups recommended 20 Action Items. The information below illustrates the progress made to date.
Progress Scale
Civilian Police Review Board was created to provide civilian oversight of police.
The Columbus Police Athletic League provides opportunities for youth.
The City of Columbus initiated a number of street cleaning activities.
Installation of enhanced crosswalks with push button flashing lights has increased comfort and safety for pedestrians.
Safe Street initiative uses bike officers to improve communitypolice relations.
Big Idea #3
Columbus Division of Police Statement
On April 30th , 2023, the Division implemented the plan to create the 6th Patrol Zone. Zone 6 includes the King-Lincoln Bronzeville, South Linden, and North Linden neighborhoods. Implementation of the plan decreased the distances officers have to travel to respond to calls for service, which allows officers more time to conduct crime prevention, crime intervention, and enforcement actions. One of the goals of the plan was to ensure the patrol zones aligned with existing neighborhoods to ensure officers were able to most effectively address the unique challenges of each neighborhood. The small geographic area of the zone and continuity of neighborhoods has increased officers’ ability to more effectively implement initiatives that address the challenges of each neighborhood and to address root causes of crime. The plan has led to more focused, intentional, and effective community engagement.
Advisory Committee Report
Advisory Committee members identified the following challenges and barriers to reducing crime and improving perception:
• Level of training in schools to support officer and victim mediation
• Unsafe biking conditions for bike patrols
• Empowering and supporting local block watches
• Attracting new residents to community events
• The cost of rehab for small business owners with vacant properties
• Weak private/business network
• Maintenance of landscaping to beautify streets and alleys
• Transportation for workers to reach higher paying jobs
• Lack of awareness on job training programs
• Lack of awareness or availability for early childhood education
• Funding for public art that supports a sense of place
Advisory Committee members identified the following to support potential programs that will reduce crime and improving perception:
• CPD recruitment events to higher nonwhite officers
• Connect housing providers with CPD to incentive officers to live locally
• Provide free CoGo annual memberships to citizen block watches
• Make officers more accessible for informal police interactions
• Organize community bike rides to support opportunities for socialization
• Incentivize public art/murals on vacant structures to support beautification
• Support neighborhood litter cleanup efforts
• Perform annual street light survey to identify priority areas for light installation
• Add lighting to bus stops
• Support completion of GED and record expungements to connect residents to living wage employment opportunities
• Provide free bus and/or bikeshare memberships to connect residents to living wage employment opportunities
• Develop in person and recorded parenting classes to support early childhood education
Meeting 1: November 29, 2023
Meeting 2: January 31, 2024
Columbus Landmarks, North Linden, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital at the NLAC Block Blitz.
141
of homicide victims offered support and resource linkage
completed since 2018 to provide support following homicide or community trauma
725 homes
provided with literature and resources
110+
shared with families since 2018 to help ease their suffering to families since 2018, checked-in with and linked to care
55 people 103
provided with free trauma-responsive care training in the community trained in Community Resilience Certification offered in the community since 2018
859 people
NLAC Vice Chair and Columbus Realtor’s beautify a North Linden home.
Shirley’s Legacy Food Initiative setting up food for volunteers.
Certified and compensated neighborhood ambassadors
Allow for police officer and victim mediation (2018 Plan)
Centralize resources for officers and victims to readily access information (2024 Recommendation)
Continue and expand bike patrols
Increase informal police interactions (2018 Plan)
Have officers attend local events as a community liaison rather than an on duty officer (2024 Recommendation)
bike officers, hours, and timeline (i.e. May through October)
Starfish Assignment
events, cookouts
Increase minority police recruitment (2018 Plan)
Host CPD recruitment events within the communities that they serve to increase minority police recruitment (2024 Recommendation)
Incentivize officers to live locally (2018 Plan)
Connect housing providers and housing assistance with CPD to incentivize officers to live locally (2024 Recommendation)
Increase officers living in city limits
of Columbus
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Big Idea #3
Dedicate proactive code enforcement
Secure and reduce vacant properties
Increase lighting on streets
vacant structures (2018 Plan)
Incentivize residents to aid in beautification efforts, such as mural paintings and litter clean up (2024 Recommendation) Improve alley lighting/tree canopy (2018 Plan)
Improve alley lighting/tree canopy and ensure proper maintenance (2024 Recommendation)
proactive staff
Linden Area Commission South Linden Area Commission
City of Columbus
North Linden Area Commission
South Linden Area Commission Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Healthy Homes
Habitat for Humanity
Ohio Capital Finance Corporation
Big Idea #3
Fund public art by local artists and artists of color to create sense of place (2018 Plan)
5 murals along Cleveland Ave. and/or Hudson St. corridors Columbus Arts Council
Build a dedicated source of funding for yearly public art projects by local artist and artist of color (2024 Recommendation)
Offer proper used tire disposal: temporary programs multiple times per year or year-round permanent collection site (2018 Plan)
Host events where residents can dispose of tires and other materials (2024 Recommendation)
Install entry signage at neighborhood gateways (consistent with refreshed and cohesive branding efforts)
Greater awareness of Linden and improved perception
City of Columbus Crime Stoppers Franklin County Municipal CourtEnvironmental Division Ohio EPA
North Linden Area Commission
South Linden Area Commission
South Linden Area Commission
North Linden Area Commission
Create proximate and safe on- and off-street parking options (2018 Plan)
Align parking goals with Zone In Columbus to create proximate and safe on- and off- street parking options (2024 Recommendation)
Big Idea #4
Support Student Success
Barriers to student success must be reduced to achieve strong academic outcomes. These include out of school factors like domestic violence, hunger, medical concerns, etc. Addressing these obstacles enables teachers to focus on education—making learning enjoyable and more effective. Strategies encourage identifying student need, direct issue resolution, and linking students and families to resources. Parent engagement and administrator longevity are critical components of setting the stage for a successful learning environment.
This Big Idea addressed three Key Areas—Housing, Education & Workforce, and Health & Safety, with 17 Action Items that include increasing mentorship and addressing housing instability. Seven, Action Items have been adjusted based on feedback from the community, advisory committee, and the actual partners.
In 2018, the Health & Safety, Housing, and Education & Workforce work groups recommended 17 Action Items. The information below illustrates the progress made to date.
One Linden Schools Initiative leadership at the Kicking Into Kindergarten Resource Fair.
Linden McKinley STEM Academy 8th grade graduation.
Rise Up CBUS! at COMO Elementary’s annual Passion and Purpose Career Fair.
Mayor Ginther and We Are Linden Ambassadors at the annual Block Party.
Community Caring CDC welcoming youth to the Sports Leadership Academy.
Big Idea #4
One Linden Schools Initiative (OLSI)
The One Linden Schools Initiative (OLSI) serves as the mechanism behind the student success component of the One Linden Plan, ensuring that all children and youth in Linden benefit from coordinated, collaborative community supports aimed at promoting healthy development, academic learning, and school success OLSI is led by leaders at Columbus City Schools (CCS), the City of Columbus, The Ohio State University’s Community and Youth Collaborative Institute (CAYCI), and the United Way of Central Ohio, with support of other partners in the community. OLSI focuses on improving learning conditions and converting schools in the Linden-McKinley feeder pattern into community hubs. A particular focus has been on Hamilton and Windsor STEM Academies, with expanded attention on LindenMcKinley STEM Academy.
OLSI developed five priorities to guide its work:
• Address academic gaps
• Meet basic needs to support student learning
• Expand access to coordinated health and behavioral services
• Enhance positive youth development and out-of-school time programs
• Strengthen family and community engagement
To learn more, go to: https://cayci.osu.edu/
Advisory Committee Report
Support Student Success
Advisory Committee members met to provide feedback on Big Idea 4 through three separate meetings. Members identified progress made on action items, partners supporting this progress, barriers to this support, and potential programs that could further support a specific action item. Feedback was gathered through presentations, breakout groups, and panel discussions with relevant stakeholders.
Advisory Committee members identified the following challenges and barriers to supporting student success:
• Availability of school related information for parents
• Building connections between parents, faculty, and students
• Cultural and language barriers
• Availability of quality mentors and mentorships
• Lack of mental health access
• Program funding that supports student success
• Staffing and access to summer programming
• Time and transportation constraints for early childhood education
• Lack of teacher support
• Programs do not reach families with nontraditional work hours
• Teachers report a low feeling of appreciation in the workplace
Advisory Committee members identified the following to support potential programs that will support student success:
• Pathways to support schools hosting community events
• Identifying specific community organizations to support mentorship opportunities
• Work with landlords to prevent evictions and keep children in schools
• Integrate trade programs into summer academic programming
• Secure additional funding to support early childhood education
• Provide free bike share memberships as an incentive for student performance
• The city should provide support to teachers to build relationships with the community
• Celebrate teacher and school accomplishments
Meeting 1: September 27, 2023
Meeting 2: October 25, 2023
Big Idea #4
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Data
1,000+ kids
have been impacted through a partnership with Be The One at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy since 2018
72 girls
have participated in Girls Group at Linden McKinley, a program focused on socialemotional learning
10 students
from Linden are participating in Upward Bound Math and Science, a program offering mentoring and tutoring
51 students
from Linden have participated in Nationwide Children’s High School Career Academy program since 2022
One Linden Schools Initiative (OLSI)CAYCI School Experience Survey
An updated socialemotional learning room at Windsor STEM Academy.
An updated socialemotional learning room at Hamilton STEM Academy.
Residents playing basketball at the Rise Up CBUS! Linden Pre-K Enrollment Block Party.
OLSI and North Linden Elementary staff.
One Linden Schools Initiative (OLSI)1
grant dollars over 5 years from the U.S. Department of Education through the Full-Service Community Schools Grant $2.5M
8,469 service units
community partner services delivered over the past 5 years
delivered youth development/ school climate programs/interventions
252 service counts
delivered health & social services programs/ interventions
1,396 service counts
delivered parent/family engagement & support programs/interventions
in teacher/staff perceptions of the strength of the learning support systems at the schools from 2022-2024
44% increase
29% increase in teacher/staff perceptions of the strength of school climate and connectedness from 2022-2024
Lawrence Funderburke presents to the Sports Leadership Academy.
70% decrease
in problem behaviors across both schools
25% decrease
in chronic absenteeism in both schools since 2020
1More information on OLSI can be found in the Appendix section
Big Idea #4
Host more community events at schools (2018 Plan)
Secure sources of funding for events and incentive students and families to attend events by connecting residents to resources through these events (2024 Recommendation)
Schools more central to sense of community
City of Columbus YMCA
Columbus City Schools
Ohio State University
Remember Us Urban Legends
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
TwentyEight19
St. Stephen’s Community House
We Are Linden
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Reviving The Ummahs Heritage
The Abubakar Assidiq Islamic Center
The Mobile Mexican Consulate
Global Health Education and Development
One Linden Schools Initiative
One Linden Schools Initiative
City Year
Remember Us Urban Legends
Support and formalize connections between schools and social service organizations
Formal relationships, contracts, or Memoranda of Understanding(s)
Increase mentorship opportunities
All students have access to professional mentor to meet with at least regularly and over summer
TwentyEight19
City of Columbus
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
St. Stephen’s Community House
Community of Caring Development Foundation
City of Columbus
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
North Linden Area Commission
Ohio Dominican University
One Linden Schools Initiative
YMCA
Omega Psi Phi Eta Nu Nu
Ours Brother’s Keeper
Remember Us Urban Legends
St. Stephen’s Community House
The Concerned Linden Clergy Group
The Parable Project
Turn Impact
We Are Linden
Ohio State University
Big Idea #4
Increase therapy and/or counseling opportunities for students
Dedicated staff for regular student therapy sessions
Make mental health services more accessible to students and offer training support to mental health workers
Offer indoor environment improvements to ensure safe home circumstances (2018 Plan)
Work with partner organizations to expand their home repair programs to include interior improvements (2024 Recommendation)
Offer tenant supports to prevent eviction and keep children in schools (2018 Plan)
Improved student health and reduced distractions from health
City of Columbus
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Remember Us Urban Legends
National Youth Advocates Program
Columbus City Schools
Directions for Youth and Families
YMCA
Ohio State University
LYFE Savers
Healthy Homes
YMCA
City of Columbus
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Breathing Association Habitat for Humanity
Community Action
City of Columbus
Community Shelter Board
Columbus City Schools
NNEMAP
United Way
Reduce student mobility
YMCA
Offer tenant supports to prevent eviction and centralize eviction resources for residents facing evictions to keep students in schools (2024 Recommendation)
Increase summer academic programming
Increased neighborhood school attendance
IMPACT Community Action
Rentful614
Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio
Community of Caring Development Foundation
Columbus City Schools
YMCA
City of Columbus
Omega Psi Phi Eta Nu Nu
Remember Us Urban Legends
Community of Caring Development Foundation
St. Stephen’s Community House
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Big Idea #4
Offer universal high-quality early childhood education
Increase summer non-academic programming
More children prepared for kindergarten
Future Ready Five
Columbus City Schools
City of Columbus
St. Stephen’s Community House
Action for Children
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Ohio Department of Children & Youth
Moo Moo’s Little Miracles
Columbus Early Learning Center
City of Columbus
Columbus City Schools
YMCA
Remember Us Urban Legends We Are Linden
More children physically fit or with life skills
Provide after-school literacy programs for grades K-2 (2018 Plan)
Encourage school staff to communicate to parents the types of programs available to students (2024 Recommendation)
Offer specialized professional development for teachers and staff (2018 Plan)
Work with local colleges and partner organizations to develop specialized professional development program for teachers and staff (2024 Recommendation)
Reduce turnover of school staff and administrators (2018 Plan)
Work with school staff to identify areas of improvement to reduce staff turnover( 2024 Recommendation)
Improved 3rd grade reading guarantee scores by 2020
Kingdom Image Arts
Ohio State University
St. Stephen’s Community House
Community of Caring Development Foundation
Omega Psi Phi Eta Nu Nu
One Linden Schools Initiative
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Final Third Foundation
St. Stephen's Community House
Columbus City Schools
YMCA
City of Columbus
More prepared and effective teachers and staff
Average staff tenure at Linden schools 5 years by 2025
Columbus City Schools
Future Ready Five
City of Columbus
Columbus City Schools
Future Ready Five
One Linden Schools Initiative
Big Idea #4
Cumulatively value teacher/administrator longevity at specific schools to promote stability
Benefits and support for teacher/ administrative commitment to school buildings
Consider monetary/non-monetary incentives for student performance
Improved standardized testing results
Columbus City Schools St. Stephen's Community House Franklin County Job & Family Services
Us Urban Legends
Consider savings account/trust fund for CCS students to incentivize achievement
Improved graduation rates, access to financial resources after graduation Columbus State Community College
Us Urban Legends
Continue alternative discipline techniques to reduce tension and keep kids in classrooms (2018 Plan) Reduced discipline referrals
Assess outcomes of alternative discipline techniques to encourage support in schools for utilizing such programs (2024 Recommendation)
Create campaign to increase community pride in Linden public schools More Linden students attend neighborhood schools
City Schools
of Columbus
Big Idea #5
Develop Business and Support Entrepreneurs
Strategies to increase retail activity and develop homegrown entrepreneurs will rely on access to existing resources in the business development space and necessitate new fiscal commitments to build training infrastructure, offer financial resources, and create a favorable environment for secure investments.
This Big Idea addressed three Key Areas—Healthy & Safety, Education & Workforce, and Retail & Small Businesses, with 10 Action Items that include supporting a culture of business creation and incentivizing savings accounts. Five Action Items have been adjusted based on feedback from the community, advisory committee, and the actual partners.
Key
Progress by the Numbers
In 2018, the Health & Safety, Retail & Small Business, and Education & Workforce work groups recommended 10 Action Items. The information below illustrates the progress made to date.
Partners Progress Scale
614 for Linden partners created or preserved 195 full-time jobs.
Patio seating at Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen for customers to enjoy.
Development Strategies presenting the Linden Retail Market Studies.
The Linden Fresh Market received a 614 Beautiful Grant in 2024 and will undergo renovations.
The Mayor’s Office Assistant Director of Community Affairs gives remarks at the Inaugural Greater Linden Business Network Awards.
Big Idea #5
Linden Economic Development Alliance
The advisory committee assessed Big Idea #5 and discovered Linden is well positioned for increased economic opportunity. Linden residents can support 350,000 SF more in retail inventory, but nearly all categories of retail are undersupplied.
This led to the development of the Linden Economic Development Alliance (LEDA) in 2024, an organization that is strategically focused on addressing these economic opportunities. Their focus is to align with the following Big Ideas:
Big Idea #2 - Connect Residents to Employment
Big Idea #4 - Support Student Success
Big Idea #5 - Develop Business and Support Entrepreneurs
Big Idea #7 - Reimagine Cleveland Avenue
Big Idea #8 - Build Community Investment
Their current goals are to:
• Recruit businesses to hire Linden residents
• Work with developers to build or rehab mixeduse buildings
• Develop retail space in vacant city lots
• Mentor existing Linden-based businesses so they can pay a livable wage
Advisory Committee Report
Develop Business and Support Entrepreneurs
Advisory Committee members identified the following challenges and barriers to developing business and supporting entrepreneurs:
• Lack of accessible retail by personal vehicles
• Move-in ready retail spaces rent is too high for local businesses
• Retail is consolidated in large-scale suburban destinations
Advisory Committee members identified the following to support potential programs that will develop business and support entrepreneurs:
• Subsidies for new retail development
• Develop a Community Development Corporation focused on increasing economic growth in Linden
• Focus efforts on Cleveland Ave corridor from 11th Ave to North Broadway and Hudson corridor from I-71 to Cleveland Ave
• Develop retail/office space with the Land Bank
• Provide education & technical assistance
• Create a revolving loan fund
• Create a collaborative partnership with local CDFIs
• Partner with the United States Department of Health and Human Services Community Economic Development Grant Program
• Partner with skills trade unions to identify pathways to employment
• Create a business passport program
Meeting 1: May 29, 2024
Data
Greater Linden Business Network from the One Linden Plan aligned with LEDA’s actions and outcomes
300,000 sq ft
650,000 sq ft
Nominees of the Rembert Empowerment Award at the inaugural Greater Linden Business Network Awards.
retail inventory Linden is able to support of retail space
$12 - $18 per sq ft
Nominees of the Linden Business Champion Award at the Inaugural Greater Linden Business Network Awards. total retail inventory
Sadicka White of Sadicka & Associates in attendance of the Linden Retail Market study Presentation by Development Strategies.
5 Big Ideas Linden Economic Development Alliance (LEDA) loans to fund business registration, accounting, and administrative expenses $1,500 and several interns supporting LEDA’s mission
5 full time employees
NLAC Chair Carol Perkins and the late Carla Fountaine of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in attendance of the Linden Retail Market Study Presentation by Development Strategies.
Big Idea #5
Offer financial/business coursework or extracurriculars at Linden McKinley Stronger student understanding of business practices and financial planning
Establish a physical co-working space (2018 Plan)
Evaluate viability of establishing a physical coworking space and/or connect residents to existing small business development programs (2024 Recommendation)
Establish a physical business incubator (2018 Plan)
Evaluate feasibility of establishing a physical business incubator and/or connect residents to existing small business development programs (2024 Recommendation)
Increased community collaboration and resources/education. Access to office resources and meeting space
Big Idea #5
Offer accessible business capital
Offer incentives for Cleveland/Hudson business development/expansion
Actively market commercial nodes to retailers with successful track record in similar neighborhoods (2018 Plan)
More loan originations, higher approval rate, more businesses founded Linden Economic Development Alliance Greater Linden Business Network
Targeted business creation along corridors, more businesses and investment
Actively market commercial nodes to desired and needed retailers with successful track record in similar neighborhoods (2024 Recommendation)
Offer matching funds for local entrepreneurs (2018 Plan)
Support and connect business owners in applying to existing local entrepreneur matching fund programs (2024 Recommendation)
More retailers and amenities in Linden
Offer incentivized Individual Development Account (IDA) for business capital and start-up funds (2018 Plan)
Work with local banks and financial institutions to create program that will support goal (2024 Recommendation)
More loan originations, higher approval rate, more businesses founded
Big Idea #6
Address Early Childhood Experience
The impact of early childhood on lives of adults cannot be overstated. Strategies to ensure a positive foundational experience from birth to age five for future success will focus on providing stability and early socialization for children. Practices must be trauma-informed and evidence-based, demanding a need for the highest-quality facilities and staff to work with children.
This Big Idea addressed three Key Areas—Health & Safety, Education & Workforce, and Housing, with 9 Action Items that include ensuring safe and stable indoor environments for infants. Six Action Items have been adjusted based on feedback from the community, advisory committee, and the actual partners.
Progress by the Numbers
In 2018, the Health & Safety, Housing, and Education & Workforce work groups recommended 10 Action Items. The information below illustrates the progress made to date.
A child receives school supplies at the Rise Up CBUS! Linden Pre-K Enrollment Block Party.
Children enjoying activities at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Linden Fall Festival.
A child pets animals at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Play Streets.
CelebrateOne and Columbus Public Health partner to combat infant mortality in Linden.
Children participating in crafts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Linden Fall Festival.
Big Idea #6
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Addresses Early Childhood Experiences
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving early childhood experiences. Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health consultants at Nationwide Children’s Hospital offer training to child care providers and early learning staff on topics like planning around challenging behaviors and tips to promote family engagement. They also provide consultants to support care providers individually and can be available quickly when needed. Training has been provided to 600 educators and 50 consults have been provided for child care and pre-K classrooms, reaching more than 200 children.
The hospital also created SPARK—a free kindergarten readiness program that helps prepare children for their first year of school. The kindergarten readiness score of the past cohort was 97% kindergartenready. More than 100 Linden children have completed the program.
Advisory Committee Report
Advisory Committee members identified the following challenges and barriers to addressing early childhood experience:
• Lack of awareness and access for wraparound social services to at-risk mothers and children
• Funding for programs that combat infant mortality and support CelebrateOne
• Personal circumstances such as homelessness, mental health issues, and abusive relationships prevent at-risk mothers from accessing health services
• Constantly changing programs and funding availability make eviction prevention services difficult to maintain
• Restrictive rental leases make tenants with larger families, pets, or low credit scores less likely to maintain housing
• Availability and awareness of resources to support credit building and financial literacy
• Funding for interior home repair programs
• Lack of interior repair programs for renters
• Staffing for early childhood education
• Communication barriers between parents and early childhood education providers
• Lack of transportation for Pre-K students
Advisory Committee members identified the following to support potential programs that will address early childhood experience:
• Build partnership with Restoring Our Own Through Transformation
• Offer community mediation for eviction processes
• Develop landlord education program on how to care for rental units
• Work with local community organizations to address indoor environmental quality
• Create incentive packages to attract qualified candidates to early childhood education programs
• Strengthen recruitment message for Pre-K through COTA advertisements and testimonies from participating families
• Increase Pre-K capacity through the establishment of a neighborhood hub, driven by data collection
• Close enrollment barriers (birth certificates, immunizations, transportation, etc.)
Meeting 1: February 28, 2024
$1.3M
approc invested in reproductive education and planning
One Linden Schools Initiative (OLSI)
250+ attendees
participated in the inaugural Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment Block Party in summer 2024
1,500 participants distributed at each school
engaged with OLSI at community events
200+ literacy kits in empathy, self-control, and compassion for Hamilton students participating in Social Emotional Learning programming
9% increase in teamwork for Windsor students participating in Social Emotional Learning programming
17% increase in helping others for Windsor students participating in Social Emotional Learning programming
14% increase in calming peers for Windsor students participating in Social Emotional Learning programming
22% increase
A family receives resources at the Rise Up CBUS! event.
A little girl enjoys bubbles at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s PlayStreets event.
Up CBUS! event.
A young resident enjoys the Rise
A Columbus Police Officer passes out water bottles at the Rise Up CBUS! event.
Erica Bell, Community Relations Coordinator of the Linden Anti-Violence Team, at the Linden Trunk or Treat.
Big Idea #6 Address Early Childhood Experience
Nationwide Children’s Hospital CareSource
YMCA
Offer wraparound social services to at-risk mothers and children (i.e. nurse home visits)
Reduced abuse and neglect, improve skills and learning for infants
Address indoor environmental quality with incentives (2018 Plan)
Work with partner organizations to expand their home repair programs to include interior improvements and address environmental quality (2024 Recommendation)
Offer eviction prevention services: legal counsel, emergency rent, or connections to new housing options (2018 Plan)
Develop a meditation program for community members and landlords to include legal counsel, emergency rent, or connections to new housing options (2024 Recommendation)
Improved health and limit exposure to harmful conditions (i.e. smoke, lead, mold)
Nationwide Children’s Hospital CareSource
Ohio Health Wellness on Wheels
LYFE Savers
YMCA
City of Columbus
Future Ready Five
City of Columbus Lead Abatement
Breathing Association
MORPC
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Habitat for Humanity
Reduced school/pre-school mobility
Legal Aid
Impact Community Action
St. Stephen’s Community House
Ohio Jobs and Family Service Prevention, Retention, Contingency (PRC) Emergency Assistance
YMCA Stable Families
Big Idea #6
Connect families to high-quality early childhood education programs
Increased rate of Pre-K enrollment
Simplify the recruitment message for Pre-K (2018 Plan)
Strengthen communication strategy through parent testimonials and increased advertising (2024 Recommendation)
Launch a parents-as-teachers initiative (2018 Plan)
Increased rate of Pre-K enrollment
Columbus City Schools
Action for Children
St. Stephen’s Community House
Columbus Metropolitan Library
One Linden Schools Initiative
City of Columbus Franklin County
Columbus City Schools
One Linden Schools Initiative
Future Ready Five City of Columbus
Linden Park Early Childhood Education Center
St. Stephen's Community House
Columbus City Schools
One Linden Schools Initiative
Nationwide Children's Hospital Proud Linden
Build relationship with parents and schools so parents have strong understanding of curriculum for at home learning (2024 Recommendation)
Increased parent education and health and developmental screenings for kids
Parent Program We Are Linden
The Parable Project
North Linden Area Commission
Education Committee
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Community of Caring Development Foundation
Create a neighborhood hub to increase Pre-K capacity, focus on Linden Park ECEC (2018 Plan)
Offer Pre-K and early childhood programming at the Linden Community Center (2024 Recommendation)
Help local providers attain or maintain Step Up to Quality ratings
Offer universal Pre-K (income qualifying)
Launch Pre-K public awareness campaign (2018 Plan)
Increase communications around Early Start Columbus and area Pre-K facilities (2024 Recommendation)
Increased rate of high-quality local Pre-K options
Increased rate of Pre-K enrollment; increase parity in Pre-K quality between low and high income children Columbus City Schools Future
Increased rate of Pre-K enrollment; increase parity in Pre-K quality between low and high income children
Big Idea #7
Reimagine Cleveland Avenue
In its current state, Cleveland Avenue represents a remarkably hostile urban corridor which largely serves the sole purpose of transporting motorists quickly through the community. Cleveland Avenue can and must become an integral component of neighborhood revitalization via roadway design that is conducive of local retail, housing re-investment, and a safer environment for both pedestrians and motorists. Targeted physical and policy changes are required to make Cleveland Avenue safer for non motorized transportation and more attractive for retail and housing investment.
This Big Idea addressed four Key Areas—Transportation, Health & Safety, Housing, and Retail & Small Businesses, with 17 Action Items that include improving pedestrian safety and addressing dangerous conditions. Eight Action Items have been adjusted based on feedback from the community, advisory committee, and the actual partners.
Key Partners
Progress by the Numbers
In 2018, the Health & Safety, Housing, Transportation and Retail & Small Business work groups recommended 17 Action Items. The information below illustrates the progress made to date.
Action items addressed: 11 of 17
Progress Scale
Curb infrastructure improvement at the intersection of Cleveland & Myrtle Avenue.
Children practicing how to use pedestrian crossing signs as part of the Walk Safe on Cleveland initiative.
An updated pedestrian crossing on Cleveland Ave.
The newly constructed Mulby Place apartments along Cleveland Ave.
Walk Safe on Cleveland initiatives improves safety for pedestrians.
Big Idea #7
Vision Zero and Walk Safe on Cleveland
At least one pedestrian-involved crash takes place every month on Cleveland Avenue. To address this significant safety issue, the City of Columbus Department of Public Service, in partnership with ODOT, initiated the Walk Safe on Cleveland project in 2018. Design work and public engagement occurred first, and installation of the Walk Safe on Cleveland project was completed in 2024. Public Service installed enhanced pedestrian crossings featuring a push button system of flashing lights at seven Cleveland Ave intersections: Lehner Rd, Agler Rd, Lakeview Ave, Republic Ave, Kenmore Rd, 19th Ave and Camden Ave. Vision Zero has worked with community leaders to show children and others how to use the new push-button system when they want to walk across Cleveland Avenue. The Franklin County Engineer’s Office plans to install five more enhanced crossings along Cleveland between Huy Road and Melrose Avenue.
Advisory Committee Report
Advisory Committee members identified the following challenges and barriers to reimagining Cleveland Avenue:
• Conflict between on-street parking and transit/bikes at redevelopment sites
• Land costs and lot sizes for higher-density housing developments
Advisory Committee members identified the following to support potential programs that will reimagine Cleveland Avenue:
• Work with the Columbus land bank to identify available parcels that are ideal for high density housing developments
• Work with COTA to reduce bus slow downs related to parking and construction
• On street parking and construction slow down buses Meeting 1: August 28, 2024
Reimagine Cleveland Avenue
Big Idea #7
Data
City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities approx in decorative street lighting along Cleveland Avenue $879.8k
Walk Safe on Cleveland were enhanced with push button flashing lights at intersections along Cleveland Ave 7 crosswalks
A resident using a pedestrian crossing sign as part of the Walk Safe on Cleveland initiative.
OneLinden.org table at the Leadership Linden Forum on “Reimagining Cleveland Avenue.”
Speakers Panel or the Leadership Linden Forum on “Reimagining Cleveland Avenue.”
Attendees of the Leadership Linden Forum on “Reimaging Cleveland Avenue.”
Boyce Safford III, Executive Director of Columbus NextGeneration and Leah Evans, CEO of Homeport.
Big Idea #7
Reduce vehicle speeds (2018 Plan)
Assess which streets would benefit most from a reduction in the posted speed limit and traffic calming measures (2024 Recommendation)
Create consistent streetscape
Address unsightly street attributes (i.e. bench advertisements, weeds growing in sidewalk/curb cracks, chain link fences)
Add on-street parking at redevelopment sites (2018 Plan)
Align parking goals with Zone In Columbus initiative (2024 Recommendation)
Improve aesthetic appeal and pedestrian experience
City of Columbus COTA
South Linden Area Commission
North Linden Area Commission
Improve amenities at high-use bus stops (2018 Plan)
Align transit goals with LinkUS Columbus (2024 Recommendation)
Increase parking availability and buffer to pedestrians on sidewalk
City of Columbus
Code Enforcement
South Linden Area Commission
North Linden Area Commission City of Columbus Nationwide Children’s Hospital
of Columbus
Big Idea #7
Encourage higher-density housing with mixed uses at nodes
Rehabilitate or demolish single-family homes along Cleveland Avenue (2018 Plan)
Rehabilitate or redevelop single-family homes along Cleveland Avenue (2024 Recommendation)
Expand Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) program
housing stock and energy at target locations
Ohio Community Land Trust
consistent built environment along the corridor
public art campaign (2018 Plan)
Engage neighborhood residents and entities in securing grants for public art and placemaking through 614 Beautiful and other sources (2024 Recommendation)
Incentivize retail investment (2018 Plan)
Identify sources of funding or build awareness of existing funding sources that incentivize investment (2024 Recommendation)
marketing campaign to celebrate unique and local Linden restaurants
Big Idea #7
Create leading pedestrian crossing signals to give people more time to enter intersection and increase visibility
Convert pedestrian crossings from initiated to automatic crossing along Cleveland Avenue to equalize treatment with motor vehicles (2018 Plan)
Identify high priority crossings to be converted to automatic crossings (2024 Recommendation)
Replace, maintain, and prune street trees
Speed limit enforcement (2018 Plan)
Increase presence of officers along major corridors to discourage speeding (2024 Recommendation)
Reduced pedestrian traffic collisions, increased sense of safety and dignity for pedestrians, improved aesthetic quality, lower speeds and safer environment
City of Columbus
Big Idea #8
Build Community Investment
Successful neighborhoods have market conditions that create a positive return on investment and offer accessible retail amenities. Strategies to build investment in the community will encourage development and incentivize retailers to locate in the community. Improving the aesthetic appeal of the built environment is key to creating public spaces where people can dine, shop, and relax. Investment in targeted, high-quality urban design will make Linden more attractive for private investment while enhancing community vitality and safety.
This Big Idea addressed three Key Areas—Transportation, Retail & Small Business, and Housing, with 12 Action Items that include focusing on housing improvements around corridors and public assets. Four Action Items have been adjusted based on feedback from the community, advisory committee, and the actual partners.
Partners
Progress by the Numbers
In 2018, the Housing, Transportation and Retail & Small Business work groups recommended 11 Action Items. The information below illustrates the progress made to date.
Construction workers paving a shared use path (SUP) on Hudson Street.
Decorative street lighting were added to Cleveland Avenue. Maloney Park is undergoing renovations to upgrade the facility.
The Department of Public Service improved Linden road infrastructure. Mayor Ginther and Columbus City Councilmembers at the groundbreaking for Hudson Street reconstruction.
Big Idea #8
Hudson Street Improvements
Hudson Street is being rebuilt to safely accommodate all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit users. It is on the Vision Zero Columbus High Injury Network because of its higher density of fatal, serious injury, and/or vulnerable road user crashes. To reduce the number of accidents, the Hudson Street Arterial Rehabilitation project is fully reconstructing Hudson St from I-71 to Cleveland Ave. and modifying the existing median on the east leg of its intersection at I-71.
This corridor serves as the gateway to the Linden community and will become an important east-west greenway corridor as sidewalks are constructed on the north side of the street and a shared-use path on the south side. When completed, the new sidewalk and shared-use path will create connections to a pedestrian safety project on Hiawatha Park Drive, from Hudson to the proposed Community Sports Park at the intersection of Velma Ave/Silver Dr. The project will create equitable access for pedestrians and cyclists by improving connection and supporting active mobility access in and out of Linden.
Other infrastructure improvements will include upgrading traffic signals, adding new storm sewers, ADA curb ramps, and streetlights.
Advisory Committee Report
Advisory Committee members identified the following challenges and barriers to building community investment:
Advisory Committee members identified the following to support potential programs that will build community investment:
• Improve Cleveland Avenue infrastructure with the Department of Public Service
• Create a Cleveland Avenue SID
• Work with private developers to construct new owner-occupied mixed use commercial space
Meeting 1: May 29, 2024
700 feet
approximately of sidewalks added on Hamilton Ave from Minnesota Ave to Weber Rd
2,000 feet
approximately of sidewalks added on Hamilton Ave and Briarwood Ave along Linden Park
1,000 feet
approximately of roadway improvements on Medina Ave from Hudson St to Briarwood Ave
Hudson Area Projects for three months in 2020, streets converted from one-way to two-way streets 4 streets converted
Mayor Ginther riding a street resurfacing roller in 2019. The new Linden Community Center and Park completed in 2021.
City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities Department of Development
to convert existing street lights to LED fixtures $2M $1M Projects
$1.8M invested in improvements added or improved $24M
A Blueprint Columbus rain garden infrastructure improvement. A rendering of the renovated Linden Branch Library. The renovations completed at Windsor Pool.
invested in Maloney
Recreation & Parks Department Department of Neighborhoods
in housing infrastructure $17.3M Columbus Metropolitan Library approx invested for the Linden branch renovations $19M
invested in Home Repair Program
Big Idea #8
Consider forming a Cleveland Ave. special improvement district (SID) (2018 Plan)
Execute the formation of the Cleveland Avenue special improvement district (SID) and build capacity of the community business associations (2024 Recommendation)
Improve public infrastructure at targeted nodes (2018 Plan)
Improved condition of streetscape (i.e. plantings, public art, weed control, sidewalk condition)
Improve public infrastructure at targeted nodes and maintain completed improvements (2024 Recommendation) Construct vertically mixed-use buildings at targeted nodes
Attractive public space to host popup events and recurring programs
Create visual anchors, help define smaller districts and bring energy and vitality
Big Idea #8
Expedite sale of vacant Land Bank properties, increase capacity of Land Bank to sell and acquire property (2018 Plan)
Maintain and continue to increase capacity of Land Bank to sell and acquire property while exploring opportunities to redevelop parcels for retail development (2024 Recommendation)
residential vacancy, increased market activity and stabilization
Focus on exterior home renovations on targeted corridors, streets, and community assets
neighborhood perception and assist long-time residents
Improve Cleveland Ave. infrastructure to create desirable streetscape
Establish proximate and safe off-street parking at key areas (2018 Plan)
Align parking goals with Zone In Columbus initiative (2024 Recommendation)
investment potential, market confidence, and public perception
a
customer
Big Idea #9
Connect the Community
In order to connect the community, physical and psychological barriers need to be addressed. Linden is literally walled off to the west by I-71, making the need for effective and equitable connector streets even stronger. Steps to ease the transition between east and west should be taken, as well as steps to increase the social connectedness within the Linden community. Residents should be empowered to establish and address community priorities with allocated funds. Children and adults should have the opportunity to experience the cultural and natural assets of Central Ohio through free and open year-round programming.
This Big Idea addressed four Key Areas—Transportation, Education & Workforce, and Retail & Small Business, and Health & Safety, with 15 Action Items that includes supporting Safe Routes to Schools and improving access and connections. Seven Action Items have been adjusted based on feedback from the community, advisory committee, and the actual partners.
Key Partners
Progress by the Numbers
In 2018, the Health & Safety, Transportation, Education & Workforce, and Retail & Small Business work groups recommended 15 Action Items. The information below illustrates the progress made to date.
Progress Scale
North Linden Area Commission Chair at the Inaugural Leadership Linden Graduation Ceremony at Columbus State Community College.
New sidewalks and a shared use path on Hudson Street improved connections east to west. Department
Neighborhoods staff promote the Carols on Cleveland event.
Big Idea #9
The Linden Green Line is a 7-mile linear park that begins in South Linden travels through 13 neighborhoods before ending at Cooper Park in Westerville, Ohio. More than 130,000 people live within 10 minutes of the 58 acres linear park.
The park will run along several community landmarks:
• S.R. 161
• Kilbourne Run
• Alum Creek Tributary
• Trestle Bridge
• Oakland Park
Linden Green Line by the Numbers:
• 40+ access points
• 3,000 businesses within 10 minutes
• 10 park connections
• 19 schools along the park
• 4 community centers along the park
Advisory Committee Report
Advisory Committee members identified the following challenges and barriers to connecting the community:
• Transportation challenges for job training hosted at Columbus State Community College
• Long distances between homes and schools make walking and biking to school difficult
• A lack of awareness of community resources makes a Linden restaurant passport difficult to implement
• Business owners may be unaware of advertising opportunities through COTA
• Poor walking conditions (such as poor lighting and abandoned buildings) make encouraging walking along retail corridors difficult
• Limited retail opportunities in Linden discourages residents from spending money in their community
• Nuisance properties along Cleveland Avenue
Advisory Committee members identified the following to support potential programs that will connect the community:
• Improve lighting at corridors that cross I-71
• Convert bike lanes to protected bike lanes
• Offer on-demand job training services at Columbus Metropolitan Library
• Provide bike locks and helmets to students who utilize bike parking at schools
• Increase neighborhood watch to ensure safe bike riding conditions for students
• Improve road safety and conditions to encourage biking
• Work with local banks and lenders in Linden to increase Community Reinvestment Act dollars in the neighborhood
• Locate affordable housing near retail corridors to support small businesses
• Work with COTA to make routes safer from bus stops to schools
• COTA should promote transit accessible small businesses through their social media
Meeting 1: May 29, 2024
Linden Green Line
Linden Green Line
of linear park with shared used paths added, beginning in South Linden and ending in Westerville 1.5 miles
approx. invested by Columbus Recreation & Parks Department and federal funds $35.2M
3,000 businesses connected to the Linden Green Line
connected to the Linden Green Line
19 schools
4 community centers
connected to the Linden Green Line, including Linden Community Center
10 parks of regional trails connected to the Linden Green Line 135 miles
connected to the Linden Green Line
Linden War Memorial relocated to the Linden Recreation Community Center. Leadership Linden graduation ceremony at Columbus State Community College. City of Columbus staff and Linden resident at the We Are Linden Block Party. Rides for Resilience participants.
4
4
Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue at the Linden Recreation Center.
Big Idea #9
Resurface/redesign corridor streets crossing I-71 (Hudson, Weber, 17th, and 11th)
covered and secure bicycle parking at neighborhood schools
Create Linden restaurant passport to draw consumer attention and offer rewards (2018 Plan)
Gauge interest amongst Linden restaurant owners and identify passport to oversee program (2024 Recommendation)
Install wayfinding signs to direct people to restaurants, stores, and landmarks (2018 Plan) Increased customers at local establishments, media attention, increased
Work with local community organizations to recruit community members to design signage (2024 Recommendation)
Big Idea #9
Advertise local businesses at CMAX bus stops (2018 Plan)
Offer free ad space on buses for businesses that are along or near the route of the advertising bus (2024 Recommendation)
Improve pedestrian priority and safety to encourage walking and browsing along retail corridors (2018 Plan)
Develop a citizen patrol program or work with existing organizations to bring their programs to the community (2024 Recommendation)
Increased customers at local establishments, media attention, increased awareness of local amenities
Host social activities for neighbors to meet ice cream socials, festivals, etc.
Increased sense of safety for pedestrians, increase pedestrian activity along streets
Provide funds to support social activities (2018 Plan)
Work with local banks and lenders to increase Community Reinvestment Act dollars to fund activities in the neighborhood (2024 Recommendation)
Support infrastructure and logistics of resident groups (i.e. civic association) (2018 Plan)
Centralize resources for different types of assistance that the city and local organizations provide to support new community organizations (2024 Recommendation)
Increased sense of community, more neighbors know each other, less isolation
City of Columbus
South Linden Area Commission
We Are Linden
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
LYFE Savers
StarFish
North Linden Area Commission
St. Stephen’s Community House
Community of Caring Development
Foundation
Ohio History Center
City of Columbus
Nationwide Children’s Hospital CareSource
Liberty Tax Linden Branch
JPMorgan Chase
Ohio Capital Finance Fund
Columbus
Big Idea #9
Offer field trips for Linden residents to visit regional attractions, like the zoo, metro parks, historic sites, etc. (2018 Plan)
Partner with local organizations to organize trips and spread awareness (2024 Recommendation)
Increased sense of community, opportunities for people to explore local and regional amenities
Big Idea #10
Support Resident Health
Health is all encompassing—physical, mental, emotional, financial, and more. Strategies to improve the health of Linden residents will work to make the healthier choice the easier choice. When people are healthy, they are more likely to make sound life decisions and can begin to grow and thrive. One of the most striking disparities today is resident life expectancy. The average resident of 43211 will live to be 65, while the average resident of Upper Arlington will live to be about 83. Financial health is another major component of overall health. Getting individuals and families to a place where they are not living paycheck-to-paycheck will allow people to weather other life crises more successfully.
This Big Idea addressed four Key Areas—Transportation, Health & Safety, Housing, and Retail & Small Business, with 21 Action Items that include attracting a grocery store and support stable housing. Nine Action Items have been adjusted based on feedback from the community, advisory committee, and the actual partners.
by the Numbers
In 2018, the Health & Safety, Housing, Transportation, and Retail & Small Business work groups recommended 21 Action Items. The information below illustrates the progress made to date.
Linden Primary Care Center offers primary care services to youth.
Walk in for Recovery hosted by Columbus Public Health.
OhioHealth Wellness on Wheels Mobile team provides free health services to Linden residents three days of the week.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Community Care Coach brings the doctor’s office to Linden residents.
Linden Fresh Market and Charitable Pharmacy opened in 2021.
Big Idea #10
Neighborhood Social Services
The Department of Public Health’s Neighborhood Social Services organized several activities and interventions in Linden after the One Linden Plan was unveiled.
• One Block at a Time started a microcommunity intervention on Myrtle Avenue to improve the health and wellness of residents.
• The Linden Anti-Violence team worked with residents at risk of continuing violence to improve their health and community connection. They hosted listening sessions, increased advocacy, and worked to reduce violence.
• The CARE Coalition called next of kin to provide care and resources after homicides in the area. They hosted a community event during Trauma Informed Awareness Week and host office hours at the Linden Fresh Market.
• ReRoute/Family Engagement participated in We Are Linden peace walks to address community violence; participated in the Boys to Men Youth Summit, partnering with the Bethel AME Church to mentor young men; and brought awareness to the Black Girl Rising group on domestic violence, community trauma, and community violence affecting youth and young adults in the Linden area.
Advisory Committee Report
Advisory Committee members identified the following challenges and barriers to supporting resident health:
• Issues with staffing primary care physicians
• Lack of appropriate space for primary care facilities or urgent cares
• Summer youth employment programs suffer from inconsistent funding, long wait lists, participant attendance, and affordability for families
• Lack of public spaces for seniors and homebound individuals
• Poor sidewalk and road conditions makes encouraging walking and biking difficult
• Needs for anonymous support groups to address mental health issues
• Lack of awareness on entities that address factors that contribute to asthma
• Lead abatement programs suffer from a lack of qualified contractors and slow city processes
• Institutional investors contribute to housing instability, increased evictions, and displacement of tenants
• Landlords are raising rents at a rate that is not proportional to gains in resident’s incomes
• Lack of transportation to emergency food services
• Lack of delivery capabilities for organizations who offer emergency food services
Advisory Committee members identified the following to support potential programs that will support resident health:
• Develop school based primary care program
• Designate a number of jobs to Linden residents for summer youth employment programs
• Create signage that estimates walk and bike times to reach major destinations
• Give Columbus Promise students free membership to CoGo
• Expand the CoGo system citywide to encourage biking
• LinkUS will fund sidewalk and bike lane projects throughout the community
• Provide orange safety flags at crosswalks
• Utilize open streets programming around neighborhood parks
• Increase access to emergency food services by providing transportation or delivery options
Meeting 1: April 24, 2024
Big Idea #10
One Block at a Time
CARE Coalition presents to Leadership Linden’s inaugural cohort on Trauma Responsive Leadership.
turned into a micro-community intervention area to improve the health and wellness of residents on the block
Linden Anti-Violence Team
1 block 1 team
working with Linden residents to reduce violence and encourage resident advocacy
offered support and linked to resources in 2023 141 families
ReRoute
13-21 years old
recipients of the community-based program that participated in the We Are Linden peace walks and the Boys to Men Youth Summit
CelebrateOne in partnership with the City of Columbus Department of Public Service
Linden Anti-Violence team collaborates with various partners to support residents.
Shoppers at Linden Fresh Market.
Community of Caring Development Foundation hosts a meet and greet at Linden Fresh Market.
Behavioral
Linden Anti-Violence team connects with residents at various community events.
Big Idea #10
Encourage walking and bicycling, complete the sidewalk network Increased physical activity
Increase mental health counseling availability
Partner with Linden Fresh Market and local organizations to offer classes outside of the market (2024 Recommendation)
Us Urban Legends
Bike Share
Parable Project
Improved psychological state, decision-making capability City of
Offer food education programming (2018 Plan) Improved nutrition and diet
Consider alternative ways to get fresh/healthy foods to households (i.e. working with CCS) (2018 Plan)
Foster relationships between community organizations and free food providers to incorporate food access into their services/programming/events (2024 Recommendation)
Expand Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) (2018 Plan)
Advertise summer youth employment opportunities through schools and youth organizations (2024 Recommendation)
More Linden youth enrolled in the program
NNEMAP Food Pantry Delivery
City of Columbus
Mid-Ohio Food Collective
Columbus City Schools
Remember Us Urban Legends
Columbus City Council
We Are Linden
City of Columbus
Columbus Metropolitan Library
St. Stephen’s Community House
Big Idea #10
Facilitate intergenerational socialization
More stimulation and social interaction for seniors and homebound individuals
Offer financial basics classes
Offer cooking education programming (2018 Plan)
Increase availability of classes at the Linden Recreation Center and Linden Fresh Market (2024 Recommendation)
Improved financial readiness, less vulnerable during times of crisis or financial emergency
Rise Up CBUS!
Ohio History Center
St. Stephen's Community House
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
City of Columbus
North Linden Area Commission
South Linden Area Commission
Nationwide Children's Hospital The Empowerment Team Remember Us Urban Legends
or Humanity
Offer credit counseling and improvement
Improved financial readiness, less vulnerable during times of crisis or financial
Attract primary care physicians
Healthcare closer to home, increased doctor visits
Ohio State University Nationwide Children's Hospital
One Health
Engage isolated seniors and homebound individuals (2018 Plan)
Work with senior housing facilities to set up recurring engagement sessions (2024 Recommendation)
More stimulation and social interaction for seniors and homebound individuals
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
NNEMAP Food Pantry
St. Stephen's Community House
Big Idea #10
Offer Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) to encourage saving (2018 Plan)
Work with local banks and financial institutions to create program to offer Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) to encourage savings (2024 Recommendation)
Attract urgent care center
Increase lead abatement programs
Address indoor environmental factors contributing to high rates of asthma (2018 Plan)
Create education program around environmental factors that contribute to asthma and the services offered to address these factors (2024 Recommendation)
Foster housing stability, prevent evictions and displacement (2018 Plan)
Continue work to connect residents to higher paying jobs. Increase awareness of available housing resources (2024 Recommendation)
Improved financial readiness, less vulnerable during times of crisis or financial emergency
Improve built environment to support walking and biking
Reduced asthma rates, improved overall health
Encourage walking and bicycling for transportation
Less mobility, more stability
Increased physical activity and low/ zero-cost transportation options
Nationwide Children's Hospital Ohio Health
St. Stephen's Community House
Impact Community Action Franklin County Legal Aide
Big Idea #10
Continue Linden Farmers Market
of Columbus Community of Caring Development Foundation
Attract grocery store (2018 Plan)
Build on Finance Fund’s study to understand if issues can be addressed, or explore alternative options to opening a full service grocery store (2024 Recommendation)
APPENDIX
CONSULTANT PLAN AUDIT
Following is the Development Strategies audit of the priorities and strategies outlined in the One Linden Plan based on the housing market analysis results as of 2024. Goals were assessed based on the progress made by entities involved in achieving these goals. Plan goals with no established partners or programs were determined to have made no progress, while goals with established city level programs or quantifiable improvements have made strong progress.
