Wheaton Community Survey

Transcription

1 Wheaton Community Survey

2 Survey Details Responses collected from May 11 through June 24, 2012 Community members recruited by Wheaton Urban District via flyer distribution at the Taste of Wheaton, messages, Urban District website, Facebook and Twitter posts, and other outreach efforts (e.g., Wheaton Patch, community listservs) 204 people started the survey 177 people finished the survey (86.8%) 2

3 Demographics 3

4 Gender Age 24.9% 24.9% Total Responses= 168 Marital Status Total Responses= 169 Total Responses= 161 4

5 Race/Ethnicity Total Responses= 156 Primary Language English - 100% Dual languages French Italian Spanish Tagalog Total Responses= 153

6 Household size Home ownership Total Responses= 165 Total Responses= 164

7 Education Household income Total Responses= 167 Total Responses= 143 7

8 Location Zip Code Proximity of residence to downtown Wheaton 48.5% (2) (6) Other Zip Codes (3) Total Responses= (2) Total Responses= 204 8

9 Length of residence in Wheaton 9 Total Responses= 173

10 Findings 10

11 Most enjoyable things about downtown Wheaton Variety of good food/restaurants (47%) The incredible food choices from Italian to Korean to Salvadorian. Wheaton s food scene is a gem and should be protected Ethnic and diverse Lack of chain restaurants; mom and pop restaurants Location and convenience of Metro & public transportation (15.5%) Small business/local feel (14.3%) It does not try to be Bethesda. Upscale-shmupscale. Give me down-to-earth, non-yuppie choices. Small-town feel Enjoy the remaining old shops that have a unique character such as: Chuck Levin s and Nick s Diner Convenience of a pedestrian-friendly community (12%) Variety of shops (12%) Diversity of the people (12%) Total Responses=

12 Most enjoyable things about downtown Wheaton CONT D Specific places mentioned Wheaton Mall (7%) The incoming Costco (3%) Wheaton Library (2%) Wheaton Plaza (2%) Brookside Gardens and Wheaton Regional Park (1.5%) Community Events Taste of Wheaton (4%) Free summer concerts (1.5%) Farmer s Market (.5%) Availability of parking (2%) *See themes document for more information 5.5% of comments were negative It s pretty run down We wish there was a nice café to sit outside and have a decent meal Takoma Park should be our model: vegetarian or Middle Eastern eateries, homemade ice cream, brickoven pizza, a walk-able downtown, artsy stores [Wheaton is an Arts and Entertainment District after all]. The development at University and Georgia with tacky cheap outdoor tables bolted to the sidewalk is the perfect example of development WE DO NOT NEED Please leave Wheaton as relaxed as Kensington We need less concrete and more greenery spaces in the down county area that the government seems to persistently want to remove 12

13 Frequency of Visits to Wheaton Answer Choice Dail y Several Times/ Week Weekly Several Times/M onth Monthly Rarely Never Respons e Count Shopping at a Downtown Wheaton business 2.1% 16.2% 22% 16.8% 14.7% 21.5% 6.8% 191 Shopping at the Westfield Wheaton Mall 2.6% 7.8% 20.2% 25.9% 25.9% 16.1% 1.6% 193 Dining at a Downtown Wheaton restaurant 2.6% 7.8% 17.6% 25.9% 22.3% 17.1% 6.7% 193 Dining at a Westfield Wheaton Mall restaurant 0% 1.6% 7.9% 10.6% 19% 43.9% 16.9% 189 Entertainment/Events 0% 1.6% 2.7% 11.4% 20.5% 51.9% 11.9% 185 Work 6.9%.5% 1.6% 1.6% 1.1% 7.9% 80.4% 189 School 1.6% 0% 1.6% 1.1%.5% 2.7% 92.5% 186 Services (doctor, taxes, etc.).5% 0% 0% 4.8% 11.2% 34.2% 49.2% 187 Total Responses= 194

14 Event attendance in past year 59.3% 14 Total Responses= 194

15 Event attendance: Other events mentioned Farmer s market (6) Limerick Tavern (3) Music Royal Mile-Limerick Pub Festival Library programs Montgomery Art Association Gallery in the Wheaton Mall Hunger March Fireworks in the Plaza Harp and Thistle event Patriotic days at the Veterans Memorial 15

16 Usual mode of travel to/from downtown Wheaton 16 Total Responses= 193

17 Use of Wheaton Metro Station Answer Choice Weekdays Weekends Both weekdays and weekends Never Response Count For work 34% 2% 7.3% 56.7% 150 For school 3.9%.8% 0% 95.3% 129 For leisure (shopping, dining, entertainment/events 2.8% 32% 33.1% 32%

18 Overall rating of VARIETY of small businesses in downtown Wheaton (excluding Wheaton Mall) 18 Total Responses= 186

19 Importance of reasons for shopping, dining or using services in downtown Wheaton (excluding Wheaton Mall) Average rating where 1 = Extremely Important, 4= Not Very Important Extremely Important Not Very Important Answer Options Quality of products/services offered 1.60 Customer service 1.63 Inviting atmosphere 1.78 Type of products/services offered 1.80 Friendliness of owner/staff 1.81 Variety of businesses 1.96 Hours of operation 2.06 Parking 2.10 Pricing/affordability 2.15 Walkability 2.30 Proximity to work/home/school 2.37 The business is socially responsible/gives back to the community Average Rating 2.54 Proximity to public transportation 2.61 Family owned/operated 2.64 Ethnic diversity of businesses 2.77 National/regional franchises 3.30 Total responses =186 19

20 Need for improvement of downtown Wheaton shopping/dining/business environment (excluding Wheaton Mall) 20 Total Responses= 186

21 Improvement priorities for downtown Wheaton (excluding Wheaton Mall) Average rating where 1 = Needs the least improvement, 7= Needs the most improvement Needs the most improvement Needs the least improvement Answer Choice Average Rating Atmosphere/ambiance of downtown Exterior appearance of buildings Pedestrian safety/accessibility Green space Safety/security (crime) Interior appearance of businesses Cleanliness/sanitation Traffic (congestion, speeding, lights, etc.) Quality of products/services Business engagement with the community Availability of parking Employees/management speak my language Business customer service Business hours Employee knowledge of product/service being sold Response Count Total Responses=

22 Likely actions if downtown Wheaton businesses addressed improvement priorities 22 Total Responses= 160

23 Other improvements that would encourage more time spent in downtown Wheaton (excluding Wheaton Mall) Improving public community spaces (42%) It would be great to do something similar to downtown Silver Spring with a more inviting common area (e.g., fountain, community space) but WITHOUT losing the ethnic variety and the degree of locally-owned businesses. I would very much be against displacing locally owned businesses with national franchises. More green space (e.g., active parks and community events such as music performances, beautification/ more modernized More pedestrian-friendly areas such as: bicycle-dedicated traffic lanes, cutting down on jay-walking, improving sidewalks and better walk-ability between stores and restaurants Larger farmers and organic markets Improving the quality and diversity of businesses/stores (35%) Caucasian and non Hispanic people live in Wheaton. We appreciate the regional accents of the businesses, but like to have menus displayed in English, some staff that at least understand English and products that people raised in the suburban US would appreciate. All shops are very down market such as pawn shops and cheap stores More English-friendly businesses Replace run-down empty store-fronts Wider range of locally owned businesses More upscale options (e.g., hotels, conference centers) A REAL downtown square such as Silver Spring or Rockville Total responses= 92 23

24 Other improvements that would encourage more time spent in downtown Wheaton (excluding Wheaton Mall) Cont d Cleanliness and Safety (10%) More security, especially in the evenings Clean and secure stairwells in Metro Increase pedestrian safety Improve the general atmosphere (9%) Provide a mix of community and business space that is inviting and comfortable Get rid of cheap banners and gaudy signs There is a general sense of feeling run-down More commercial diversity (9%) Too many businesses catering to Hispanics only Example: casa de Maryland, there is no job center for white teenagers Offer stores that provide services/products other than specialty for Latino/Asian only Better ethnic programs Cultural activities that are truly cultural Restaurants (9%) More outside dining options Options other than Latino/Asian More upscale restaurants and bars More parking/ Too much traffic (2%) 24 *Please see themes document for more information

25 Likelihood of use of facilities/events if available in downtown Wheaton Total Responses: 178 Farmer s Market: 178 Theater/dance classes: 172 Cooking school: 172 Arts/crafts studios: 175 Performance/live entertainment venue: 178 Neighborhood tours:

26 Other responses: Likelihood of use of facilities/events if available in downtown Wheaton House decorating contests for all holidays, not just Christmas Pet parade/dog park/pet stores (3) Excellent pizza or Indian food restaurant Neighborhood gym/yoga studio (3) Contract Internationally-known artists from Wheaton Better quality nightlife French, German, Russian and Asian language classes Town square/green space (2) More events like Taste of Wheaton, more frequently Flower Mart Decent Day Care Centers Flea Market Used book store, café or ice cream parlor with outdoor seating (3) Make Wheaton a live music district Parks Local motel for visitors Health food supermarket Art festivals Valet parking Comedy venue A market like the Eastern Market in DC for everyday Multiplex movie theater Old-fashioned American restaurants with American food 26

27 Awareness of County s plans/efforts to promote redevelopment in Wheaton 27 Total responses= 178

28 Attendance/involvement in redevelopment efforts or County programs 28 Total responses= 98

29 Communication preferences for learning more about redevelopment in Wheaton 29 Total responses= 177