County Hopes To Raze Vacant House Problem

If you drive through Franklinton, Linden, or one of a few other neighborhoods in Columbus, you’ll see house after house with boarded up windows and an orange “vacantâ€? sign on the door. There are about 9,000 vacant homes in Columbus, and many more in surrounding communities in Franklin County. That’s why the county land bank is increasing efforts to buy, and then tear down or refurbish the nuisance properties. WOSU's Steve Brown spoke with county treasurer Ed Leonard about the land bank’s new $8.2 million grant from the state Attorney General’s Office. Click the play button above to hear their conversation.