East Somerville. What is important to me Survey Results

Transcription

1 What is important to me Survey Results The What is important to me survey was used at the Somerville by Design: Crowdsourcing meeting on May 28, 213. About 35 people filled out the survey at that meeting, and an additional 6 filled the survey out electronically in the following weeks, for a total of 41 responses. The data in this report reflects responses received through June 2, 213. Respondents were given several statements about each of six topics: transport, shopping, home improvements, development, public space, and walking and biking. The survey asked respondents to rank the items in each category by order of importance. Results for each category are reported in two ways. First is a graph showing the number of people who ranked each statement as the most important. The second method assigns a point value to each response, with the most points for a #1 ranking (5 points in a category with 5 items, for example), and fewer points assigned to responses assigning lower rankings, with only one point assigned to the lowest-ranked response in each category. These points are then summed across all respondents. For each category, the graph of the top-ranked responses gives a clear picture of the issues that are most important to the survey respondents. The weighted point value graph provides a better sense of the relative importance of each item, and also reveals those items that many people rank highly but few people rank number one. Availability of housing for seniors, smooth traffic flow along main streets, the ability to bike in, and space for public art are examples of such issues, where the weighted point totals shows the issue to be significantly more important than it would appear when considering only the top-ranked results.

2 Topic 1: Transport Survey Results #1 Ranked Choices Transport Car traffic is able to conveniently drive through along Broadway and Washington Street Car traffic is able to conveniently drive through between Broadway and Washington Street Residents and visitors to East Somerville are able to conveniently drive to neighborhood destinations Traffic on my street moves at a slow speed Traffic on my street does not include large trucks There is little traffic on my street

3 Topic 2: Shopping has a mix of restaurants that provide eating and entertainment options Survey Results #1 Ranked Choices Shopping has retail stores that meet my daily needs (grocery, pharmacy, hardware, etc.) has retail stores that serve as regional destinations (clothing stores, department stores, etc.) has a mix of stores that are independent and locally owned has the shopping brands that are also available in other communities Survey Results Point Values Shopping has a mix of restaurants that provide eating and entertainment options has retail stores that meet my daily needs (grocery, pharmacy, hardware, etc.) has retail stores that serve as regional destinations (clothing stores, department stores, etc.) has a mix of stores that are independent and locallyowned has the shopping brands that are also available in other communities

4 Topic 3: Home Improvements 12 Survey Results #1 Ranked Choices Home Improvements Homeowners have a clear understanding about what they can be allowed do to expand their house Homeowners have flexibility in what they can do to expand their house All home addition projects (porches, dormers, decks, etc.) are subject to review by neighbors Some small home addition projects can be done without review by neighbors 12 Survey Results Point Values Home Improvements Homeowners have a clear understanding about what they can be allowed do to expand their house Homeowners have flexibility in what they can do to expand their house All home addition projects (porches, dormers, decks, etc.) are subject to review by neighbors Some small home addition projects can be done without review by neighbors

5 Topic 4: Development has a mix of housing choices available for families with children Survey Results #1 Ranked Choices Development has a mix of housing choices available for senior citizens New housing is built in East Somerville reserved for residents with low and moderateincome New market rate housing is built in New development in is commercial, not residential New buildings in are designed to be similar in architectural style to what is there today

6 Topic 5: Public Spaces 25 Survey Results #1 Ranked Choices Public Spaces has more public spaces for people to sit and linger has more public spaces where children can play has has adequate parking for adequate vehicle bicycles parking for visitors from outside Somerville has more spaces to display public art Survey Results Point Values Public Spaces has more public has more public spaces for spaces where people to sit children can and linger play has adequate parking for bicycles has adequate vehicle parking for visitors from outside Somerville has more spaces to display public art

7 Topic 6: Walking and Biking 3 Survey Results #1 Ranked Choices Walking and Biking I am able to safely walk around East Somerville to reach destinations in the neighborhood I am able to use my bicycle to get to and through East Somerville lets me access convenient Orange and Green Line and bus service to get around the region I am able to find convenient parking for destinations in has wide, pleasant sidewalks Survey Results Point Values Walking and Biking I am able to safely walk around East Somerville to reach destinations in the neighborhood I am able to use my bicycle to get to and through East Somerville lets me access convenient Orange and Green Line and bus service to get around the region I am able to find convenient parking for destinations in has wide, pleasant sidewalks

8 What are three things you like about East Somerville? The Community - The mix of people/diversity (age, class, ethnicity, old and new, etc.)(x26) - Neighborhood feel in an urban area (x4) - Vibrant/Thriving (x3) - It has a great sense of community (x3) - Still a neighborhood/still Somerville (x3) - The youth and families (x2) - High level of engagement (x2) - Has a diversity of character/mix of approaches (x2) - There are eyes watching my apartment when I m not in it (neighbors who aren t at work or asleep). - Small-town feel and intimate community environment - Becoming even hipper - It s a growing and changing neighborhood, in all the positive ways - Active community groups - Friendly people - Authenticity - Old school, gritty - Immigrants and poor people Accessibility - Convenience to Orange Line, public transit, and downtown Boston (x15) - Walkability (x5) - Proximity to I93 (x3) - Easy access to daily needs - Easy commute - Accessibility Amenities - Great restaurants (affordable, ethnic, locally owned) (x16) - Lots of activities/events happening (x2) - Neighborhood parks/capuano center (x2) - Artist studio space is available (x2) - Stop and Shop, the food - Community garden/open space - Vibrant businesses on Broadway - Arts - Tree-lined streets - Open studios events History - Nice mix of architecture

9 - Architectural gems from various periods - Old/historic neighborhood - The old houses - Design reminds me of the North End in that it maintains some cultural authenticity Other - (Relative) affordability (x3) - It s where I grew up - Quiet in the residential neighborhood - Main Streets - Inaccessible and undesirable to the rest of the world What are three things you would like in East Somerville? Housing - Affordable housing (Preserve existing, create new, keep rents low) (x7) - Another building for seniors and the disabled - Middle class housing - Landlords responsible for properties - More guidelines on property additions - Better homeowners - Less use of outdoor spaces around homes as storage Transportation and Accessibility - Wider sidewalks (x3) - Community path connection to Boston (x2) - Safer bike access (x2) - Bike lanes - Hubway station - More pedestrian/bike friendly - Better walking and biking access beyond the neighborhood - Traffic patterns to accommodate many modes - More access to public transport - More frequent bus service - Green line - Slower car traffic on side streets - A better working relationship with Boston around Sullivan Station - A better working relationship with DCR/MassDOT around McGrath Highway - Safer Washington Street (streetscape, slower vehicle speeds, more crosswalks, etc.) - Easier navigation between Washington and Broadway - Safer connections for pedestrians across McGrath. - Parking (x2) - Smoothly repaired streets - Less traffic

10 Economic Development - More restaurants/more diverse restaurants (x7) - A nice café (x5) - Drug store/pharmacy (x3) - More variety in restaurants and retail (x3) - More jobs/jobs for Somerville people (x2) - Better businesses on lower Broadway (x2) - Local ownership of small businesses and art spaces (x2) - Fewer empty buildings along Broadway - More variety in the store fronts on Broadway better night life and evening events - More development on Washington Street - More restaurants along Highland Avenue - Improve businesses (some seem questionable) - More retail (x2) - More upscale restaurant/shopping choices in addition to the current offerings - Assist existing businesses with improvements - Business Improvement District - More grocery stores - Small, locally-owned grocery store - Trader Joe s (on Winter Hill) - Clothing stores - Affordable space for artists and small businesses - Stronger commercial market with non-minimum wage jobs Public Space - More parks/green space (x3) - More welcoming/usable public/civic spaces (x3) - More outdoor seating (x2) - More attractive private infrastructure (design guidelines) (x2) - Sound barriers along I93 - Better air pollution understanding and mitigation (I-93/McGrath/Sullivan) - More community gardens - More trees - City control of Fess Park - Murals - More attractive public infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, etc.) - Upgraded storefronts/sidewalks along Broadway - Safe and inviting gateway between areas (e.g. and Assembly Square) - Better wayfinding - Architectural/signage installations that reflect the area s culture - Better lighting - Take the grates down on the store fronts - Less trash and clutter - Businesses should be more responsible for removing trash from sidewalks and gutters Other - More/continued arts/culture events (x2)

11 - Better disability access - More involvement/participation in Somerville-wide festivals - More community events for young adults - Stronger street life - More neighborhood events (e.g. block parties) - More city events - Youth programs, better use of Cross Street Center - Safer/more police patrols - Safer to walk at night - Performance/theater space - More studio space for artists - Dedicated plan to maintain and expand studio space - To be left alone - For yuppies to stay in Davis - The city more involved - New YMCA - No more construction (roads and sidewalks are a mess) Other comments We need easier and safer connections by bike, walking, and cars across McGrath highway Please save room for connections to Urban Ring/Inner Belt future TOD Please have more than just luxury housing at market rate soon non-professionals and non-rich will be priced out of Somerville Try to avoid using technical terms when promoting planning to the general public I d like major improvements behind Stop & Shop linking to Assembly Square. The area is a disgrace shoulder height grass, dangerous street crossing, pot holes, etc. I love! Fix sidewalks and curb cuts so that people with any mobility disabilities don t trip while walking. Not just on Broadway but throughout the neighborhood. Safe walking requires smooth sidewalks. Want safer walkways from Sullivan more pedestrian friendly between Mt. Pleasant and Sullivan. Washington Street isn t very pedestrian friendly. Very fast moving traffic. Further increased improved walking score (and bikes) Love all the positive changes made so far! Important to maintain diversity at all levels, especially for housing. Healthy food in schools. Loved the vision presented at ResiStat for Somerville and a desirable city with superior schools and business opportunities to serve our diverse population and encourage families with a choice to choose to stay! There are many blighted properties along Broadway close to Sullivan station. What s happening with those? Are they condemned?

12 We need to preserve affordability/diversity in. I grew up in Davis Square and can no longer afford to live there. is both historic and ever changing. We need a development plan that embraces our unique heritage while welcoming the vibrant and multicultural ethnicity of more recent residents. I hope that the process takes into account the final look and feel on the street, the colors, the sounds, the smells these are what make a unique and authentic place. And to ensure the architectural integrity of the area and not to see the buildings torn down to make way for taller buildings especially in the commercial district. I like living here. I am mostly concerned with the future of Somerville s dynamic artist community. I d like to see more laws/zoning put in place to protect artists studio space. We are very concerned in my neighborhood & professional & personal communities with creating ongoing space and support for working artists across a range of prices that can be considered affordable. It helps our community thrive and makes Somerville what people want in a community to live in, invest in, and start businesses & families in. While progress is nice we in like things the way they are. Progress means displacement for lifetime residents. Progress means plowing over all that is good.