East Welch Ave, Merion Village

East Welch Avenue runs between High Street and Parsons Avenue in a transitional neighborhood. The traditional residents were largely working class people who worked in the factories in the south end of Columbus. As the factories closed, the neighborhood has fallen on hard times, but the big old houses here (built in the 1920's) are attractive to people who can't afford the neighborhood just to the north of us, German Village. We still have our troubles here with prostitution and drugs, but we also have a strong neighborhood association and neighbors watch out for each other. The houses are being rehabbed and their value is rising.