The Linden Community Plan is Underway
Many Linden residents and businesses are now aware of the Linden Community Plan, a process started earlier this year that will continue into mid-2018 to chart a path for the neighborhood’s future. The plan has been commissioned by the City of Columbus in partnership with United Way Central Ohio and The Ohio State University.
What is a community plan? Community planning seeks to improve the overall quality of life through recommendations around various aspects of community life, such as community safety, housing, transportation, land use, and more. Members of the community are involved in the decision-making process and have a chance to share their aspirations for the neighborhood. By establishing transformative goals and identifying strategies to achieve them, the Linden Community Plan will act as a manual for positive growth that guides public and private investments and policy decisions in the community. Without a plan, the community is in a reactionary position—just responding to proposals rather than guiding them.
To connect more directly with residents, the Neighborhood Design Center has teamed with United Way of Central Ohio’s Fresh Foods Here initiative at local corner stores, attended Jazz in the Park at Maloney Park, and Cap City Nights events as part of the project storefront effort, collecting feedback and discussing the planning effort with neighborhood residents. We’ve also attended the Linden Intervention Group, North and South Linden Area Commission meetings, and the recent Concerned Clergy meeting at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church. We’re working hard to be out in the community, talk with residents, and learn from their experiences in the neighborhood.
The primary way for residents to be involved in the planning process long-term is being part of a working group.The groups are tasked with discussing five key elements of the plan:
Housing
Transportation
Small Business and Retail
Education and Workforce
Health and Safety
For those who aren’t interested in joining a working group, feedback can be left on our website. There will also be a community workshop and open house in early November to see initial concepts, ideas, and proposals. This is a critical event that will continue to guide the development of the plan—so you’ll hear more about it soon!