COCIC demos blighted properties and turns them into new affordable housing
(COLUMBUS) April 3, 2025—The Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT), a subsidiary of COCIC: Franklin County Land Bank, today announced the Kohr Place project. A new 14-home, single-family development project on Kohr Place in Linden adjacent to the City of Columbus’s new Green Line Corridor.
With support from the City of Columbus, Kohr Place will feature one- and two-story modern homes with a listing price of $199,000. The project will kick off in the spring of 2025 and is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026. Moody Nolan was selected for design, and SBA Studios was named the architect. Simmons Development Corp. and Woda Group will serve as developers.
“We are honored to partner with the City of Columbus to bring this project to fruition and fully support Mayor Ginther’s vision to build 200,000 new housing units in the Central Ohio region by 2030,” said Curtiss L. Williams, Sr., president/CEO of Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (COCIC). “Projects, like Kohr Place, not only represent more affordable housing options for residents, but they also create opportunities for long-time Linden residents to stay in their community and build generational wealth.”
COCIC and its subsidiary the COCLT have received national attention for their unique and meaningful solution to permanently affordable housing. In Linden, COCIC was able to take ownership of and demolish eight of the 14 previously foreclosed and blighted properties on Kohr Place. Through the Land Trust, the organization is now building new affordable housing, resulting in a net positive for residents, neighbors and the community.
“Central Ohio has long been a growing region, however over the past 15 years our region has been consistently building 5,000 fewer housing units than we need to accommodate growth,” said Michael NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2025 Contacts: Curtiss L. Williams, Sr. President/CEO COCIC: The Franklin County Land Bank (614) 724-4938 [email protected] Wilcose, Vice President, Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio. “This underbuilding has driven home prices and rents to record levels, far exceeding the incomes of tens of thousands of households who cannot keep up with these housing cost increases. In 2024, central Ohio grew by 30,400 additional people. Housing vacancy rates are at all-time low while evictions and people experiencing homelessness is at an all-time high. The solution is more housing of all types, sizes and prices. Linden Kohr Place is a great step in the right direction.”
Since 2021, the COCLT has built and sold 28 affordable homes in Linden with its partners. To date, the organization has built 138 affordable homes throughout Franklin County for individuals and families with an average annual income of $50,000. Currently, 85% of COCLT homeowners are first-time homebuyers, 82% are minority heads of households, and 59% of homeowners are at 80% or below of area median income (AMI).
About the COCLT The Central Ohio Community Land Trust, a subsidiary of COCIC, is committed to creating more affordable housing options for individuals in underserved and transitioning neighborhoods, bridging the affordability and racial homeownership gaps that exist today in Franklin County. You can learn more about the Central Ohio Community Land Trust and view our homes at www.coclt.org.
About COCIC: Franklin County Land Bank COCIC is a non-profit organization formed by the Franklin County Commissioners in 2012 to improve the quality of neighborhoods and communities within Franklin County. More information about COCIC can be found at www.cocic.org.
