Franklinton

Hi Perry

Thanks for reading.

I personally would buy in Franklinton if I had the means. I'm not far away at the present.

It will take a special person to make the move to the Bottoms. That person will have to love the area and start from scratch in order to get the place turned around. You will HAVE to become involved in community functions and be active with local associations. You will have to be aware of what is going on in the neighborhood...... I'm not saying being a busy-body and sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Watching a neighbor's back and getting involved in reducing crime is what is needed to put Franklinton back on track. Getting out and chatting with neighbors, making friends that are concerned with the future of Franklinton will be the best start. Communicating with the slumlords and making them aware if you are dissatisfied with the tenants or condition of the property.

There are many good programs and orginizations in the area... Gladden being on the top of my list. My family was family of the year in 1982 and we were treated to a wonderful dinner at the community house. We felt very honored and were proud that we were selected from so many families. and I am still proud to this day.

Depending on your ability, many houses can be purchased well below the price of a similar house in a different area. I think "target" funds are still available to rehab a house and bring it up to "code". With it's proximity to downtown, Franklinton is prime property and very few realise it or care. The area has declined but I feel the condition has become stagnant and in order to save the heritage of Columbus the time to act is now.

Thanks for your input on here again, Marc. I haven't lived in Columbus long, but I've heard so many mixed things about the area. Is Franklinton the same as the bottoms? It seems they are pretty interchangeable, no? Is there a safer or better part of the area to look into buying? Can you give me any links to the neighborhood organizations, I'd love to check them out. Congrats on the family of the year award as well.

Franklinton is also known as "The Bottoms"  due to it's location on the flood-plane of the Scioto River....aka bottomland. Flooding no longer seems to be an issue with the completion of the floodwall a few years ago. When I lived on Dakota Avenue I only saw one flood and it was very minor....just had to drive through a little water and no damage to my house. It was kinda amusing.

As for safety.... I don't know if a truly safe area exists in any urban setting. Precautions must be taken just about anywhere within any city. A person needs to be aware of potential threats no matter where he/she lives without becoming paranoid. Just be observant and try to keep on top of local happenings, watching out for a neighbor should be high priority. When neighbors band together they stand a better chance at curtailing criminal activity.

I stopped and chatted with a former neighbor yesterday after running an errand at Great Western. A trip through the bottoms was not far from my path of travel and I do enjoy visiting my favorite area of Columbus. After chatting, and by my own observation, it seems that the area is somewhat stable and the decline has slowed. I noticed more young families and youngsters playing..... a sign of life. Affordable housing is readily available and resources for a family (or even an individual) are abundant. In my opinion, the time has come for the people to take their neighborhood back and regain the heritage that was given to them by Lucas Sullivant.

As for links.... this was my main link. I will do some research and see what I can find. Most links I have checked here only loop me back to the main page. I have no idea if the area crime watch is still active or the Franklinton Homeowners Association is meeting on a regular basis. Gladden Community House might be a good resource for local information. Resources, abound but few seem to be taking advantage of what is available.

I've live here for 10 years now from Olde Town East. I love my house, but sometimes living here can be depressing. Mostly because there is so much poverty and behaviour that keeps the poor in that condition. There have been plenty of positive changes in the 10 years that I have been here. For one, there are many new and renovated properties with young families who have moved in. I don't feel as isolated as I once did, because there are a few more poeple who share my middle class values. Unfortunatly, they don't mingle with other residents, but I have found that some of the most friendly, most loyal people are here when you take the time to get to know them (it difficult, as they don't talk to strangers instinctivly). I know it sounds elitest, but I have so little in common with the dropout ganster wannnabes and their fat girlfriends who seem to go out of their way to confirm the worst stereotypes of the neighborhood.

I realize that it will be years for complete change to come to Franklinton. Even when it arrives it will be in certain parts as there will likely always be poor people here who will continue to do the things to insure that they and their offspring remain poor.