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Southern Orchards is an established residential neighborhood in the near south side of Columbus, Ohio, that contains an array of residential, commercial and institutional buildings. Southern Orchards is the 23rd most walkable neighborhood in Columbus with 3,538 residents. The neighborhood is an area that has long fought blight and decline, crime and gangs, and is the target of revitalization and beautification largely due to anchor institution Nationwide Childern's Hospital. Since 2008, more than 70 properties have been improved through the hospital’s Healthy Homes program.

Challenges for the corridor including: crime, traffic, and vacant properties and main recommendations for revitalization include housing improvements, commercial investment, and economic incentives.

=History=

The first development in the Near Southside Area was the city’s land purchase of what is now the front yard of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in 1839. Initially used as a graveyard, the graves were relocated and the land was developed into Livingston Park in 1885. What is now Nationwide Children’s Hospital was originally founded in 1892. One of the early subdivisions developed was Swaynes Addition at the corner of Parsons and Livingston avenues. Wager Swayne served in the American Civil War and rose to the rank of Major General. Beck Street was originally called Swayne Street before it was changed, however Wager Street still remains.

=Geography=

Southern Orchards is located north of Ganthers Place, south of Old Oaks Historic District, east of German Village and west of Driving Park. Its boundaries are East Livingston Avenue to the north, East Whittier to the south, Lockbourne Road to the east and Parsons Avenue to the west. The area includes the following 7 primary road corridors as identified through the 1993 Columbus Thoroughfare Plan: Livingston Avenue, Whittier Street, Parsons Avenue, Ohio Avenue, Champion Avenue, Lockbourne Road and Fairwood Avenue. Interstate 70 also follows the northern border of the planning area before it turns south between the Norfolk Southern Railway and Alum Creek. The Livingston Avenue and Parsons Avenue corridors are predominately comprised of commercial, office, and multifamily-residential land uses.

=Transportation= To help address the gaps in the sidewalk infrastructure, the city of Columbus plans to construct sidewalks on Whittier Street, between Lockbourne Road and Fairwood Avenue. The recently adopted Columbus Bicentennial Bike Plan suggests several routes to be constructed in the Near Southside Area including Cycling infrastructure. Bike boulevards are recommended for Denton Alley, and East Gates and Kossuth streets. It recommends bike lanes for Lockbourne Road, and Parsons, Champion, Ohio, and Livingston Avenues. Central Ohio Transportation Authority (COTA) bus service provides a network of coverage in the Near Southside Planning Area. Local routes serve Livingston Avenue, Parsons Avenue, and Whittier Street Line numbers 001, 004, 007. Crosstown routes serve both Ohio and Champion Avenues; Line number 081 The COTA routes connect residents to downtown and to the broader region.

=Structures and Landmarks=

Livingston Park, located in Southern Orchards, is the oldest piece of park property in the City of Columbus and is listed on the list of Nationally Registered Historic Landmarks. Plant Pride on Parsons', beautification efforts began in 2010. Plant Pride on Parsons is an award winning community greening partnership developed to assist revitalization of the historic Parsons commercial corridor by abating litter and graffiti and creating a botanical gallery of hand-painted flowering containers and nature-scape murals.

Family Missionary Baptist is located in the area at 996 Oakwood Avenue, working to combat violence and make efforts to reach boys who need help. Center

Nationwide Children's Hospital is one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric hospitals and research institutes in the United States. Nationwide Childern's Hospital completed an $800 million expansion project, which includes a new $480 million main hospital and a performance space for patient activities. The new hospital, which opened in 2012, has all private rooms and a new emergency department. Surrounding neighborhood investment by the hospital includes: 3 to $5 million to buy and renovate up to 50 houses in the area, the establishment of significant green spaces on the hospital campus, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital's Research 3 building.

=Residential=

The current conditions in the area is largely built out and tree cover is limited..

The Southern Orchards neighborhood is zoned R-2F. From Parsons to Lockbourne the Southern Orchard neighborhood has plenty of blocks with brick homes vs. wood-frame houses. Neighbors are trying to clean up the Southern Orchards neighborhood by reporting illegal activity and call on code enforcement. Neighbors think broken down cars with flat tires, some sitting on cinder blocks only add to the blight. The local resident community group is the Southern Orchards Civic Association, lead by Richard Shaffeer. Katie Radford, was the former president. In 2012, the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund Program included the Southern Orchards Civic Association for the Proposed Project List. Total Funding: $270,000 to improve Martin Park with walkway, benches, trees, fencing and playground equipment and Construct curb ramps on Whittier St. at Wilson Ave., Oakwood Ave., S. 22nd St., Carpenter St., S. 18th St., S. 17th St., Ann St. and Wager St.

=Commercial= Multifamily zoning is located along Whittier Street and Livingston Avenue. Parsons Avenue and portions of Livingston Avenue also have the Urban Commercial Overlay (UCO) zoning designation. The UCO does not address land use; it focuses on protecting the unique architectural and aesthetic characteristics of older urban commercial corridors and encourages pedestrian-oriented development featuring retail display windows, reduced building setbacks, rear parking lots, and other pedestrian-oriented site design elements. Parsons Avenue is in the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) district. The program’s goal is to stimulate business development along designated NCR areas. The Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) program offers technical assistance, loans and matching grants, capital improvements and planning services in conjunction with the established business association in six commercial areas surrounding downtown. CVS Pharmacy, Aetna Building Maintenance, E-Jay's Drive Thru, Revol Wireless, Mezmerize, Crazy Chicken, Papa John’s, Nexcel/FoodMart are located in the neigborhood. Grocery Stores in the Southern Orchards include: Little's IGA (supermarkets). In 1999, the Free Store on Parsons Avenue opened, which accepts donations and distributes clothes and household items to the area’s poor. By the end of this year, 150,000 people will have walked through its doors since it opened. Community Development for All People is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and was incorporated as a nonprofit community-development corporation in 2003. The city then designated it as the community housing-development organization for the area so it could receive federal funding.

Livingston Avenue Area Commission (LAVA-C)
Boundaries:•North: I-70 •East: Alum Creek •South: E. Livingston/ E. Whittier Street •West: Lehman St./Kennedy Dr.

Commission Meetings take place on the Third Tuesday  of each Month at 6:30 pm  at the St. John's Learning Center located at 640 S. Ohio Ave.

=Entertainment=

Parks and Recreation
Kobacker Park is a (.34 acre) neighborhood, open-lot park. This park is open from sunrise to sunset, located at 570 Kossuth St.

Roosevelt Park, located at 1046 Studer Ave., is a (2.91 acre) neighborhood park that includes picnic tables, looping walking path and play equipment for children.

Martin Park, located at 950 Wagner St., is a (mowed) open lot park located on the city's near East side.

Kossuth Street Garden
Kossuth Street Garden takes over an entire house lot at 641 E. Kossuth St., located in the Southern Orchards neighborhood just east of German Village, founder and director Michael Doody has been serving the community since 2007.

Columbus Library Branches
Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) near the area include: The Driving Park Library Branch, which is located in the northeastern portion of the planning area. In addition, the Parsons Branch is just west of the planning area at the corner of Columbus Street and Parsons.

=Education=

Livingston Avenue Elementary School – 744 S. Heyl Avenue is located in the area serving Kindergarten through 5th grade. In 2012, because of declining enrollment, Heyl Elementary School – 760 Reinhard Avenue was closed.

=Gallery=

Swaynes Addition & Southern Orchards, Columbus, Ohio