Good morning, Franklin County. Picture a seven-mile stretch of abandoned railroad tracks transforming into Columbus's answer to New York's High Line. The upcoming Linden Green Line isn't just another park project - it's about to become the emerald thread that stitches together 3,000 businesses, connects 131,000 residents, and turns forgotten spaces into community places. This is what urban revival looks like in 2024.
While we're reimagining spaces, the Hilltop neighborhood is facing its own transformation challenge with 500+ vacant properties demanding attention. But it's not all heavy lifting in Columbus - just ask the pint-sized food critics who crowned Romeo's Pizza champion during a Super Bowl Sunday showdown. Their 4.5/5 rating proves that sometimes the best urban planning happens over a perfectly crafted slice.
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0%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🏚️ Columbus Hilltop battles 500+ vacant properties, demanding faster action from lawmakers. The neighborhood's struggle is part of a larger crisis, with nearly 3,000 vacant properties across Columbus at the start of 2024. Current legal processes to address problem properties can drag on for years, frustrated by out-of-state investors and shell corporations. State lawmakers are pushing for new legislation requiring transparent property ownership and a vacant home registry. Meanwhile, Columbus is developing its own tracking system, though residents remain skeptical of promised solutions.
🍕 Kids crown Romeo's the ultimate pizza champion in Columbus taste test. Seven young food critics, ages 4-11, sampled cheese pizzas from four popular Columbus pizzerias during Super Bowl Sunday. Romeo's Pizza emerged victorious with a 4.5/5 rating, praised for its perfect crust and sauce-cheese combination. Hounddog's secured second place with 4/5, while local favorites Massey's and Adriatico's rounded out the competition. Notable absences included Donatos, Borgata, and Antonio's, which weren't available for the Sunday taste test.
🌳 Columbus transforms abandoned railroad into stunning 7-mile green corridor. The Linden Green Line project, approved for 2026 construction, will connect South Linden to Northland with walking trails and basketball courts. The innovative park will unite 3,000 local businesses, four community centers, and 19 schools along its nature-filled path. Over 131,000 residents will have walking or cycling access to the trail, which also links to 135 miles of regional trails. The project aims to revitalize communities while creating a greener, more connected Columbus.
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Boys)
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
Centennial (17-5) | ||
vs Franklin Heights | L 68-62 | |
 East (9-11) | ||
vs West | L 64-55 | |
 Franklin Heights (14-6) | ||
@ Centennial | W 68-62 |
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Girls)
A wild Wednesday of Columbus-area hoops saw Whitehall-Yearling's Rams continue their dominant season with a convincing 59-39 victory over South, while Logan squeaked past Central Crossing 52-51 in a nail-biter. The Licking Heights Hornets found their sting in a 64-39 rout of Northland, proving that sometimes the best defense is a relentless offense.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Beechcroft (7-13) | ||
@ Bexley** | L 54-40 | |
 Linden-McKinley (14-8) | ||
vs Independence** | W 47-32 | |
 Independence (11-10) | ||
@ Linden-McKinley** | L 47-32 | |
 Northland (6-16) | ||
@ Licking Heights* | L 64-39 | |
 South (10-11) | ||
@ Whitehall-Yearling | L 59-39 | |
 Central Crossing (6-17) | ||
@ Logan* | L 52-51 (OT) | |
| Franklin Heights (5-17) | ||
@ Teays Valley* | L 72-37 | |
 Reynoldsburg (13-9) | ||
@ Newark | L 51-46 | |
 Bexley (9-14) | ||
vs Beechcroft** | W 54-40 | |
 Whitehall-Yearling (19-4) | ||
vs South | W 59-39 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Updated Linden home ready now: This beautifully updated home in Linden is listed at $180,000 and offers 1,052 square feet of living space with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, plus a finished basement and new utilities throughout. It’s vacant and ready for you to move in.
Stunning brick home with amenities: This stunning brick home, listed at $439,900, spans over 2,500 sq. ft. and offers a luxurious owner's suite, dream kitchen with center island, and an inviting outdoor patio, all set in a prime location.
Meticulously maintained ranch gem: This meticulously maintained ranch home, listed at $374,900, features over 1,750 square feet, a remodeled kitchen, and updated baths, all nestled on a quarter-acre lot near community amenities and downtown Gahanna's Creekside.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
💰 Financial Friday
Explore the benefits of automating your savings by setting up regular transfers to a savings or investment account; this method helps you build wealth effortlessly and encourages a disciplined approach to managing your finances.
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