I arrived in Franklinton in 1958 when I married Jan, an original Franklintonian. We didn’t have two cents to rub together and her parents. who lived on Avondale Avenue, took us in. I was trying to attend OSU and working part time. Our first son was born there and shortly after I took a regular job with the railroad. Wanting to spread our wings we took an apartment on the east side where our second son was born, a livable apartment but we wanted a place of our own.
We looked around some, but Franklinton beckoned and in 1961 we found a home on Hayden Avenue where we still live. The neighborhood was wonderful. Most homes were occupied by owners and most doubles were also owner occupied. All was well for about 20 years, but many of the homeowners were elderly and they began to pass away and their homes became rentals. Some of the homes began to fall into disrepair because of the federal flood plain restriction, but those folks who stayed held our block together. All of Franklinton suffered in the same manner with many blocks much, much worse.
March, 2004 saw the completion of the Franklinton Floodwall and the federal flood restrictions were lifted. The floodwall energized the flame, which had never gone out, to rebuild our neighborhoods. It began slowly at first and then new homes began to appear across Franklinton.
The Franklinton Development Association kept banging on doors and touting Franklinton as the best kept secret for a place to live. When Mayor Coleman and the City Council’s pilot Home Again Program began here in Franklinton, it had a snowball effect. Over 100 new builds and many super rehabs now grace our streets.
An East Franklinton Creative Community District Plan is nearing acceptance. One hundred and fifty-four senior apartments have been built, 100 more are under construction for people at risk, and a new apartment complex for the Mount Carmel School of Nursing is fully occupied.
All this in 8 short years. The new builds haven’t hit my street yet, but it will!
And now, the homes!
Be My Neighbor is a series showcasing what your money can buy in different neighborhoods in Columbus. This is not professional advice and there is no financial incentive for us if these homes are purchased. We just want to showcase our great neighborhoods and the homes that are in them. All information was accurate to the best of our knowledge at time of publishing. If you are house hunting, good luck to you!
For more information on the Franklinton Produce Market, click here.