Goal: to gather public opinion of the Bagg’s Square neighborhood - what people are coming to the area for currently - what they would like to see develop within it - uncover neighborhood assets and/or obstacles - what they see for the future of the neighborhood - to build the identity and marketing strategy with input from the public + major stakeholders
Survey conducted Jan-Feb, 2014 via surveymonkey.com 507 responses
Methods of Distribution
62% female 38% male
Age Groups Represented 18-24 5% 25-30 16% 30-39 29% 40-49 16% 50+ 34%
Utica 40% New Hartford 10% Clinton 5% Whitesboro 5% Rome 4% Ilion 3% Marcy 2% 31% from other, 2% from out of state
Household Income Under $50,000 25% $50,000-$100,000 50% Over $100,000 25%
Questions • Where is Bagg’s Square? • What are you currently coming here for? How often? • What is the neighborhood’s level of appeal? • What is the neighborhood missing? • What would bring you here more often? • What do you know about the history of the area? • How would you give someone directions to get here? • Would you live here? • Do you have any memories/experiences to share?
Where is Bagg’s Square? 41% mentioned the train station
Where is Bagg’s Square? - use of landmarks - some used street names - many said they had no idea
Level of appeal No appeal 3% Low appeal 22% Moderate appeal 45% High appeal 20% Mixed appeal 10%
How many times/month do you come to: Rarely 1-5 6-10 11-15 15+ times times times times Bagg’s Square West 15% 34% 19% 7% 24% Bagg’s Square East 27% 39% 10% 5% 19%
How many times/month do you stop, shop, visit? Rarely 1-5 6-10 11-15 15+ times times times times Bagg’s Square West 48% 37% 8% 3% 4% Bagg’s Square East 61% 26% 5% 1% 7%
What are they coming for? Utica Coffee Roasters 100+ Oneida County Public Market 54+ Tailor & the Cook 53+ Union Station 53+ The Aud/Comets Games 35+ Bagg’s Square Cafe 25+ Gerber’s 18+ Also mentioned: Barber Shop, Work, DMV, St. Matthew’s, Children’s Museum, Trackside Restaurant
How would you rank… Very No Good Very Poor Poor Opinion Good Safety 4% 26% 29% 37% 4% Parking 11% 45% 11% 30% 3% Overall Condition 4% 40% 16% 37% 3% Importance to the City 2% 7% 12% 45% 34% Potential 1% 3% 4% 23% 69%
A note on safety… Overall the comparison for crime in the Bagg’s Square area as opposed to crime city-wide is either non-existent or extremely low , ranging from 0% to 2.6%. During the year of 2013 violent crime (murders, shootings, robberies and rapes) were non-existent. The Bagg Square area is one of the safest areas in the City of Utica.
A note on safety… Many reported larcenies that were reported at Union Station. Just about all these crimes occurred on buses and trains during commute and were reported to police at Union Station when passengers arrived. - from email report from UPD Chief Mark Williams
How would you give someone directions to Bagg’s Square? - VERY varied answers - many expressed difficulty - difficult with the overpass - many used landmarks - “follow the signs to the train station” - “by Peeper’s” - go down Oriskany or 5S and “hang a right” or “hang a left” - go to the O-D and make a left
Do you use the terms Bagg’s Square “East” & West”? 10% yes 90% no
Do you know any history of Bagg’s Square? 46% yes 54% no * of those who said no, many made a point to respond that they would like to.
What DID they know? - Utica started here - it is the “heart of Utica” - it is the “city’s first neighborhood” - There was a hotel there - Utica was named in the hotel - It was the hub of transportation - George Washington slept there - know a bit about Moses Baggs - some knew about specific buildings and events - the canal was there
Would you consider living in Bagg’s Square? 35% yes 65% no
Why or why not? Those who said yes: - easy access to everywhere - love the area - “cool factor” - would like to live near new, locally owned businesses with character
Why or why not? Those who said no: - not a city person/not my style - don’t want kids in Utica schools - assume it’s very unaffordable - already own a house - safety - no grocery store/pharmacy/gas station - noise from the trains
- not enough green space - bad traffic patterns - lack of privacy - not looking to move - … maybe if I were single… - … maybe when the kids are grown… - we’ll wait and see what happens down there
What would bring them here more often? - ability to “park and stroll”/”park and walk” - connectivity/walkability/linkage - pedestrian infrastructure - more restaurants, bars, cafes, galleries - casual restaurants (affordable/quick for lunch) - events, festivals, entertainment - more family-oriented things
What would bring them here more often? - green space - grocery store/food market - bookstore - natural foods store - more life/activity/critical mass/value - police presence - public art
What would bring them here more often? - outdoor spaces/seating areas - brunch places - lots of “kid - friendly” mentions - history markers/preservation of history - signage/more visibility - better parking - more lighting - landscaping/trees
Neighborhood Obstacles - Perception of safety - Walkability/Connectivity - People don’t know where it is - Segmented with Genesee St. overpass - “bad reputation” - not enough signage/visibility - “story break” physically - vacancies
Neighborhood Obstacles - curb appeal - old infrastructure - ownership of buildings/taking care of their footprint - not enough cluster of activity - Genesee/Oriskany intersection is unsafe - sense of identity
Neighborhood Assets - POTENTIAL - History - Entrepreneurs/People/Energy/Risk Taking - Excitement for progress - Momentum - High visibility - A City Liaison dedicated to assisting - Support of the City, the public & the media - Great buildings with fantastic potential
Geographic Assets - proximity to suburbs, major highways, Adirondacks, etc. - how it’s physically “tucked away” with potential to be a quaint neighborhood with a great feel - “It’s the 1st thing you see when you come into the city” - Proximity to Nano Utica
Select comments “We love the locally -owned and sourced independent businesses in the historic buildings.”
Select comments “I enjoy the urban feel of the neighborhood. The antiquated buildings share the city’s history, while the businesses inside them demonstrate a rejuvenation. I strongly desire seeing the businesses in that neighborhood succeed, and my patronage helps achieve that.”
Select comments “Feel it is a great up -and-coming area and want to frequent the businesses to encourage growth.”
Select comments “It needs to look like a little town… clean, modern and active.”
Select comments “It’s wonderful to see tasteful, innovative businesses opening in that area - and I hope to see more.”
Select comments “We all want to come and drink and eat and shop in Utica. We are just waiting for those places to be in one place.”
Select comments “It’s wonderful that people are putting so much effort into revitalizing our city. I’m excited for the future and to see the entrepreneurial spirit of so many hardworking people pay off. I know that my family and friends are rooting for this area and supporting local business.”
Select comments “Just hearing about the new development in Bagg’s Square is very exciting and obviously has caught my interest enough to make me consider being “Utican” a bit longer!” - SUNYIT grad from NYC
Select comments “The change won’t happen without efforts like this… so thanks.”
Upcoming Marketing • Full database of neighborhood businesses, employers and individuals • Website will be worked on over the summer • Email marketing will begin soon • Poster campaign to drive interaction with social media • Restaurant check campaign • Streetscape banners • Membership campaign • Continue to grow social media • Continue with press releases • “How to Help Promote Your Neighborhood” initiative • Cross promotional efforts for existing businesses
What can YOU do RIGHT NOW?
What you can do… Become a member of the Bagg’s Square Association
What you can do… Like us on SHARE our page! Write a REVIEW!
What you can do… Hash tag! #BaggsSquare
What you can do… Join our email list Share news with your employees Share your news! Michelle@484design.com Patronize Bagg’s Square businesses!
Recommend
More recommend
