DOWNTOWN 2030 BUSINESS SURVEY

DOWNTOWN 2030

BUSINESS SURVEY

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance and the City of Ithaca are collaborating on the creation of an urban core Downtown/West End 2030 Strategic Plan. This Plan will be used to help guide both the City and DIA with policies and programs as well as spending priorities for the decade to come. The City will also use the 2030 Plan as part of a Phase II component of its Comprehensive Plan: Plan Ithaca.

We want to collect information from businesses that will help us with the preparation of this Plan. Please take just a few minutes to complete this survey. All responses are anonymous and will be grouped together. Results from this survey will help guide and shape the Downtown 2030 strategic plan and the city will use a component for the Phase II plan.

Thank you for your assistance and input.

JoAnn Cornish, Director of Planning & Development, City of Ithaca

Gary Ferguson, Executive Director, Downtown Ithaca Alliance

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* 1. Which of the following best describes your business?

Food and/or Beverage

Retail (not food & beverage)

Service

Office

Entertainment

Other

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* 2. How long has your business been in operation?

0-5 years

5-10 years

10-25 years

More than 25 years

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* 3. What is the approximate size of your physical business location? (select one)

(Small) Less than 500 SF

(Medium) 500 SF – 2499 SF

( Large) Over 2500 SF

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* 4. What was your approximate volume of sales/revenue at your business in 2018? (select one)

Less than $100,000/yr

$100,000 - $499,999/yr

$500,000 - $999,999/year

Over $1,000,000/yr

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* 5. Over the past year, have your sales/revenues: (select one)

Increased over the previous year

Decreased over the previous year

Remained about the same

I am a new business with no previous history

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* 6. How many employees work at your business? (Complete to the best of your knowledge.)

Full Time (including yourself)

Part-time

Interns/volunteers/Unpaid

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* 7. In the past year, have your labor hours: (select one)

Increased

Decreased

Remained about the same

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* 8. Do you currently pay a living wage ($15.11/hr without health insurance) to all of your employees?

Yes

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* 9. The County is considering adopting a law requiring all businesses to pay a living wage (currently defined currently as $15.11/hr without health insurance). What impact, if any, would such a law have on your business’ profitability?

Negative impact on profitability

Neither positive nor negative on profitability

Positive impact on profitability

Unsure

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* 10. How has the internet and/or e-commerce affected your business in the past year, either positively or negatively?

The internet/e-commerce has helped my business significantly.

The internet/e-commerce has helped my business a little.

The internet/e-commerce has no impact on my business.

The internet/e-commerce has hurt my business a little.

The internet/e-commerce has hurt my business significantly.

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* 11. What marketing have you done for your business in the past 12 months? (check all that apply)

Daily or weekly print advertising

Radio/TV advertising

Social media

Search engine marketing (search engine optimization, results, cost-per-click, etc.)

Digital advertising (banner ads on digital news or other websites)

Advertising in annual or quarterly magazines, maps or other publications

Affiliation with community groups

Direct mail

Billboards and/or other external signs

Other content marketing options (your own blogs, newsletters, videos, etc)

Other (please specify)

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* 12. Approximately what percent of your total sales do you think you spend on all forms of marketing and advertising?

0%, I do not advertise

Up to 1%

1% to 3%

3% to 5%

Over 5%

Unsure

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* 13. How do think parking affects your business? Rate each of the following statements on whether you agree or disagree.

	Strongly Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Neither Disagree Nor Agree	Somewhat Agree	Strongly Agree
My customers/clients can almost always find a convenient place to park in a garage or on the street.	My customers/clients can almost always find a convenient place to park in a garage or on the street. Strongly Disagree	My customers/clients can almost always find a convenient place to park in a garage or on the street. Somewhat Disagree	My customers/clients can almost always find a convenient place to park in a garage or on the street. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	My customers/clients can almost always find a convenient place to park in a garage or on the street. Somewhat Agree	My customers/clients can almost always find a convenient place to park in a garage or on the street. Strongly Agree
My customers/clients are fine with the current parking rates in the garages and on the street.	My customers/clients are fine with the current parking rates in the garages and on the street. Strongly Disagree	My customers/clients are fine with the current parking rates in the garages and on the street. Somewhat Disagree	My customers/clients are fine with the current parking rates in the garages and on the street. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	My customers/clients are fine with the current parking rates in the garages and on the street. Somewhat Agree	My customers/clients are fine with the current parking rates in the garages and on the street. Strongly Agree
My customers/clients can easily operate the on-street pay machines.	My customers/clients can easily operate the on-street pay machines. Strongly Disagree	My customers/clients can easily operate the on-street pay machines. Somewhat Disagree	My customers/clients can easily operate the on-street pay machines. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	My customers/clients can easily operate the on-street pay machines. Somewhat Agree	My customers/clients can easily operate the on-street pay machines. Strongly Agree
My customers/clients have no problems using the downtown parking garages.	My customers/clients have no problems using the downtown parking garages. Strongly Disagree	My customers/clients have no problems using the downtown parking garages. Somewhat Disagree	My customers/clients have no problems using the downtown parking garages. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	My customers/clients have no problems using the downtown parking garages. Somewhat Agree	My customers/clients have no problems using the downtown parking garages. Strongly Agree
Parking is not an issue raised by my employees.	Parking is not an issue raised by my employees. Strongly Disagree	Parking is not an issue raised by my employees. Somewhat Disagree	Parking is not an issue raised by my employees. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	Parking is not an issue raised by my employees. Somewhat Agree	Parking is not an issue raised by my employees. Strongly Agree
I am aware of the various parking program options available to my business.	I am aware of the various parking program options available to my business. Strongly Disagree	I am aware of the various parking program options available to my business. Somewhat Disagree	I am aware of the various parking program options available to my business. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I am aware of the various parking program options available to my business. Somewhat Agree	I am aware of the various parking program options available to my business. Strongly Agree

Other (please specify)

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* 14. If you had more money to invest in your business, you would immediately … (fill in the blank):

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* 15. List any additional new service, program, or activity that could be offered by either the City or the DIA that would help your business?

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* 16. If we could attract or add one new business to the Downtown/West End, it should be? (please fill in the blank, either a business name or a type of business)

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* 17. If you could make one change to Downtown/West End today, what would it be? (please fill in the blank)

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* 18. How do you currently get information about downtown news and events? (Check all that apply)

Other business colleagues

City of Ithaca

Downtown Ithaca Alliance

Radio and/or TV

Print newspapers

On-line news

Social media

None, I don’t get any information

Other (please specify)

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* 19. How would you most prefer to get information about Downtown/West End news and events? (Check one)

Other business colleagues

City of Ithaca

Downtown Ithaca Alliance

Radio and/or TV

Print newspapers

On-line news

Social media

I don’t want or need any information

Other (please specify)

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* 20. Where is your business located?

Downtown

West End Corridor (from Albany St. to Fulton St.)

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* 21. Rate the following statements about Downtown. Rate each of the following statements on whether you agree or disagree.

	Strongly Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Neither Disagree Nor Agree	Somewhat Agree	Strongly Agree
When I come Downtown I always see or experience some form of public art.	When I come Downtown I always see or experience some form of public art. Strongly Disagree	When I come Downtown I always see or experience some form of public art. Somewhat Disagree	When I come Downtown I always see or experience some form of public art. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	When I come Downtown I always see or experience some form of public art. Somewhat Agree	When I come Downtown I always see or experience some form of public art. Strongly Agree
I consider Downtown a clean and attractive place.	I consider Downtown a clean and attractive place. Strongly Disagree	I consider Downtown a clean and attractive place. Somewhat Disagree	I consider Downtown a clean and attractive place. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I consider Downtown a clean and attractive place. Somewhat Agree	I consider Downtown a clean and attractive place. Strongly Agree
I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk during the day.	I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk during the day. Strongly Disagree	I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk during the day. Somewhat Disagree	I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk during the day. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk during the day. Somewhat Agree	I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk during the day. Strongly Agree
I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk after dark.	I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk after dark. Strongly Disagree	I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk after dark. Somewhat Disagree	I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk after dark. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk after dark. Somewhat Agree	I consider Downtown a safe place to visit and walk after dark. Strongly Agree
I consider Downtown a diverse place.	I consider Downtown a diverse place. Strongly Disagree	I consider Downtown a diverse place. Somewhat Disagree	I consider Downtown a diverse place. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I consider Downtown a diverse place. Somewhat Agree	I consider Downtown a diverse place. Strongly Agree
I consider Downtown an inclusive place.	I consider Downtown an inclusive place. Strongly Disagree	I consider Downtown an inclusive place. Somewhat Disagree	I consider Downtown an inclusive place. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I consider Downtown an inclusive place. Somewhat Agree	I consider Downtown an inclusive place. Strongly Agree
Downtown is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place.	Downtown is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place. Strongly Disagree	Downtown is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place. Somewhat Disagree	Downtown is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	Downtown is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place. Somewhat Agree	Downtown is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place. Strongly Agree
Downtown is a bike-friendly place.	Downtown is a bike-friendly place. Strongly Disagree	Downtown is a bike-friendly place. Somewhat Disagree	Downtown is a bike-friendly place. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	Downtown is a bike-friendly place. Somewhat Agree	Downtown is a bike-friendly place. Strongly Agree
Downtown retailing is interesting and compelling.	Downtown retailing is interesting and compelling. Strongly Disagree	Downtown retailing is interesting and compelling. Somewhat Disagree	Downtown retailing is interesting and compelling. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	Downtown retailing is interesting and compelling. Somewhat Agree	Downtown retailing is interesting and compelling. Strongly Agree
Downtown has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate.	Downtown has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate. Strongly Disagree	Downtown has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate. Somewhat Disagree	Downtown has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	Downtown has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate. Somewhat Agree	Downtown has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate. Strongly Agree

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* 22. Rate the following statements about the West End. Rate each of the following statements on whether you agree or disagree.

	Strongly Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Neither Disagree Nor Agree	Somewhat Agree	Strongly Agree
When I come to the West End I always see or experience some form of public art.	When I come to the West End I always see or experience some form of public art. Strongly Disagree	When I come to the West End I always see or experience some form of public art. Somewhat Disagree	When I come to the West End I always see or experience some form of public art. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	When I come to the West End I always see or experience some form of public art. Somewhat Agree	When I come to the West End I always see or experience some form of public art. Strongly Agree
I consider the West End a clean and attractive place.	I consider the West End a clean and attractive place. Strongly Disagree	I consider the West End a clean and attractive place. Somewhat Disagree	I consider the West End a clean and attractive place. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I consider the West End a clean and attractive place. Somewhat Agree	I consider the West End a clean and attractive place. Strongly Agree
I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk during the day.	I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk during the day. Strongly Disagree	I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk during the day. Somewhat Disagree	I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk during the day. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk during the day. Somewhat Agree	I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk during the day. Strongly Agree
I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk after dark.	I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk after dark. Strongly Disagree	I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk after dark. Somewhat Disagree	I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk after dark. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk after dark. Somewhat Agree	I consider the West End a safe place to visit and walk after dark. Strongly Agree
I consider the West End a diverse place.	I consider the West End a diverse place. Strongly Disagree	I consider the West End a diverse place. Somewhat Disagree	I consider the West End a diverse place. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I consider the West End a diverse place. Somewhat Agree	I consider the West End a diverse place. Strongly Agree
I consider the West End an inclusive place.	I consider the West End an inclusive place. Strongly Disagree	I consider the West End an inclusive place. Somewhat Disagree	I consider the West End an inclusive place. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	I consider the West End an inclusive place. Somewhat Agree	I consider the West End an inclusive place. Strongly Agree
The West End is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place.	The West End is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place. Strongly Disagree	The West End is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place. Somewhat Disagree	The West End is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	The West End is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place. Somewhat Agree	The West End is a walk-able, pedestrian friendly place. Strongly Agree
The West End is a bike-friendly place.	The West End is a bike-friendly place. Strongly Disagree	The West End is a bike-friendly place. Somewhat Disagree	The West End is a bike-friendly place. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	The West End is a bike-friendly place. Somewhat Agree	The West End is a bike-friendly place. Strongly Agree
West End retailing is interesting and compelling.	West End retailing is interesting and compelling. Strongly Disagree	West End retailing is interesting and compelling. Somewhat Disagree	West End retailing is interesting and compelling. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	West End retailing is interesting and compelling. Somewhat Agree	West End retailing is interesting and compelling. Strongly Agree
The West End has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate.	The West End has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate. Strongly Disagree	The West End has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate. Somewhat Disagree	The West End has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate. Neither Disagree Nor Agree	The West End has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate. Somewhat Agree	The West End has an urban scale that I can readily manage and navigate. Strongly Agree

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* 23. How would you rate the following items? Use the following scale:

	Poor	Below average	Average	Good	Excellent
The cleanliness of Downtown	The cleanliness of Downtown Poor	The cleanliness of Downtown Below average	The cleanliness of Downtown Average	The cleanliness of Downtown Good	The cleanliness of Downtown Excellent
The cleanliness of the West End	The cleanliness of the West End Poor	The cleanliness of the West End Below average	The cleanliness of the West End Average	The cleanliness of the West End Good	The cleanliness of the West End Excellent
The cleanliness of the parking garages you use	The cleanliness of the parking garages you use Poor	The cleanliness of the parking garages you use Below average	The cleanliness of the parking garages you use Average	The cleanliness of the parking garages you use Good	The cleanliness of the parking garages you use Excellent
The ease of driving into and out of Downtown	The ease of driving into and out of Downtown Poor	The ease of driving into and out of Downtown Below average	The ease of driving into and out of Downtown Average	The ease of driving into and out of Downtown Good	The ease of driving into and out of Downtown Excellent
The ease of driving into and out of the West End	The ease of driving into and out of the West End Poor	The ease of driving into and out of the West End Below average	The ease of driving into and out of the West End Average	The ease of driving into and out of the West End Good	The ease of driving into and out of the West End Excellent

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* 24. What big thing (major project, program, or initiative) would you suggest to make the urban core (Downtown/West End) a better place?

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* 25. What little thing (small idea or improvement) would you also suggest to make the urban core (Downtown /West End) a better place?

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* 26. (Optional) If you would like to be added to the email distribution list to receive information about additional opportunities for input on the Downtown 2030 Strategic Plan, please feel free to provide your email address here. (All survey responses will remain confidential).

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* 27. How likely would you be to recommend Downtown Ithaca as a place to do business?

0 - Not Likely

10 - Highly Likely

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.