Values and Priorities Consumer and business survey respondents tend to have disparate views in considering priorities for possible District enhancement efforts. Results from the consumer intercept survey place the highest priority on possible efforts to create incentives for new and expanding businesses, and to restore and preserve the District’s historic character. Business survey results show respondents, collectively, placing the highest priority on possible efforts to stage additional festivals and special events in the District, and to improve streets, sidewalks, lighting, furnishings, green spaces, trails, etc., in the District. Would you place a high, moderate or low priority on possible District enhancement efforts to: Consumer Intercept Survey
Business Survey
High
Moderate
Low
High
Moderate
Low
Restore and preserve the District’s historic character?
60% (2)
34%
4%
59% (3)
38%
0%
Improve streets, sidewalks, lighting, furnishings, green spaces, trails, etc., in the District?
58% (3)
37%
3%
69% (2)
28%
3%
Stage additional festivals and special events in the District?
43% (4)
43%
11%
72% (1)
25%
3%
Create incentives for new and expanding businesses in the District?
60% (1)
36%
1%
59% (4)
31%
9%
Improve and/or create more housing in the District?
27% (5)
40%
29%
34% (5)
28%
28%
Notes: Ranking of “High” value frequency among survey group/items shown in parentheses. “No Opinion” responses omitted from table.
The consumer intercept survey group’s high ranking of possible efforts to restore and preserve the District’s historic character is consistent with the value placed on the District’s historic character by the online survey group. More than 91% of online survey participants indicated they “Agree” or “Strongly Agree” with the statement, “The historic character of the District is important.” Evaluate the following statement: The historic character of the District is important. Historic Character of District is Important A. Strongly Agree B. Agree C. Disagree D. Strongly Disagree E. No Opinion Total
Online Survey 148 83 6 5 10 252
58.7% 32.9% 2.4% 2.0% 4.0% 100.0%
The views regarding priorities for possible enhancements expressed by consumer intercept survey respondents tend to be consistent with the tangible and intangible qualities of the district that are most liked by consumers, and that make it a special place. Priorities emphasized by business survey participants appear to recognize the effectiveness and success of existing festivals and special events – and a desire for still more – and are more focused on improvements to the streetscape and public spaces. While the divergence in opinions expressed by the consumer and business groups is not immense, it does reinforce the value of the comprehensive Main Street Four Point Approach being implemented by the Czech Village / New Bohemia Main Street organization. Survey results also provide direction for communicating plans, progress and changes in ways that respond to the values and priorities identified by each group. So, too, simply sharing consumer survey results with District business owners and stakeholders might help to align perspectives via an enhanced awareness of the market’s values, desires and priorities.
Czech Village / New Bohemia Main Street District | Market Study Summary • March 2013
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