Business Topical Committee homework assignment was to create a survey instrument and interview business owners on Front Street with sample survey provided by planning team. Included in the survey instrument are the assets and liabilities of a downtown location, traffic and parking issues from a business owner's perspective; along with how can the waterfront bolster downtown businesses. The committee reviewed an inventory of Keyport businesses provided by KBA to see what kind of businesses appear to be concentrated in Keyport, along with identification of any missing businesses that would do well in Keyport. Business Topical Committee meeting of April 29 provided final committee input on the development of the Keyport survey. Terry Burns, Debbie Ackerman, Marilyn Lane served as co-chairs.
Kathy Shaw provided minutes, data, and communication. Committee members include Daniel Bach, Andrew Malinconico, Cathy Dipierro, Jeffrey Fink, Carole Grabowski, David Kneeshaw, and Michael Norris.
Area Surveyed: Front St (east and west of Broad), Broad St (north and south of Maple) Division St, Main Street
Business List: KBA supplied business database list managed by Debbie Ackerman for assignments and follow-up.
Survey Alert: Created by Co-chairs and mailed to 166 businesses in survey area first week of May.
Survey Finalized: Survey content identified at first meeting, April 29. Survey Draft approved May 5 and printed.
Survey Volunteers: (5) Jeffrey Fink, Michael Norris, Debbie Ackerman, Marilyn Lane, Kathy Shaw, Cathy Dipierro
Survey Hand Delivery & Pickup: May 10 - May 20
Survey Hand Delivery/Personal Visit Targeted: 86 businesses targeted for five volunteers in the redevelopment area.
Surveys Completed: 59 businesses responded (68% completed surveys of targeted businesses) 80 businesses to be targeted.
Survey Area Includes: 166 businesses in redevelopment area, roughly 1/2; of the total business population is in the target area.
Keyport Town-wide Business Inventory Includes: 330 businesses
| Antiques |
6 |
Insurance |
6 |
| Apparel/Footwear |
6 |
Interior Decorators |
1 |
| Appliances/Repair |
3 |
Jewelers |
2 |
| Assisted Living |
1 |
Laundry |
3 |
| Attorney |
6 |
Liquor & Wine |
3 |
| Automotive |
47 |
Machine Shop |
2 |
| Bakery/Breads |
2 |
Manufacturing/B-B |
18 |
| Beauty |
3 |
Marine/Recreation |
8 |
| Bicycles |
1 |
Marketing/Advertising |
2 |
| Bridal & Florist |
1 |
Medical |
15 |
| Business Services |
13 |
Metaphysical Boutique |
1 |
| Childcare |
3 |
Metaphysical/Psychic |
1 |
| Cigar |
1 |
Monuments |
2 |
| Cleaning Services |
5 |
Music |
1 |
| Computer |
2 |
Nails |
2 |
| Consignment |
2 |
Novelty Shop |
1 |
| Construction Trades |
|
Optical |
2 |
| Home Improvement |
22 |
Pet Care |
1 |
| Convenience Grocery |
8 |
Pharmacy |
1 |
| Dental |
6 |
Photography |
4 |
| Electrical |
4 |
Printing/Digital |
2 |
| Embroidery |
1 |
Real Estate |
4 |
| Engineering |
2 |
Rental Equipment |
1 |
| Environmental |
2 |
Restaurant |
7 |
| Fast Food |
13 |
Restaurant/Catering |
5 |
| Financial Services |
17 |
Restaurant/Bar/Catering |
2 |
| Florist |
4 |
Restaurant/Bar/Grill |
1 |
| Fuel |
1 |
Restaurant/Coffeehouse |
1 |
| Funeral |
2 |
Catering |
1 |
| Furniture |
1 |
Security |
2 |
| Gift & Specialty Shops |
5 |
Sewing |
1 |
| Glass |
1 |
Signs Graphic |
1 |
| Grocery Super Store |
1 |
Specialty Crafts |
1 |
| Hair |
7 |
Tattoo |
1 |
| Health & Fitness |
3 |
Taverns |
3 |
| Home Improvement |
2 |
Taxidermy |
1 |
| Human Resources |
2 |
Upholstery |
1 |
| Industrial Real Estate |
1 |
US Post Office |
1 |
| Industrial Supply |
2 |
Variety Store |
2 |
Survey Development Background
Sample surveys were requested by the Business Topical Committee from PPSA/PPS that were used in other communities. The committee reviewed survey models from Nyack and Riverhead, New York and Long Beach, California. New topics were introduced and many were augmented to reflect Keyport's conditions/situation. The committee collaborated on content and reviewed all data by e-mail. The survey was finalized by Terry Burns and prepared for printing and distribution. As an added perspective on the downtown area, surveys were mailed to all Smart Growth Topical and Steering Committee members for their perceptions on the non-business questions contained in the survey. Their data will be used as a control group getting their perceptions on parking, waterfront, mix of goods and services. A memo was sent to all Topical and Steering Committee members asking for input on those questions that are not business specific by the Business Committee. The objective was to take additional data about the downtown from the perspective of the resident or user. All data will be maintained separately. A comparison of responses is planned. Control Surveys were due May 26th, but will continue to be collected. The control group data has not been tabulated. Various questions in the survey have verbal responses which are still be analyzed. A final report will be prepared.
SURVEY PRELIMINARY DATA HIGHLIGHTS:
American Legion Drive Improvements
Re-routing of American Legion Drive to create customer entry and expanded retail for W Front St buildings where ground floor faces the bay. Do you favor this change?
29 Answered Yes
8 Answered No
Details to follow on interest in special financing to undertake such expansion
Business Trends
Businesses were asked about their individual business and Keyport overall business trends.
Current business trend for your business: Stable
Current trend for Keyport businesses overall: Business is improving
What Other Shopping Areas Have That Keyport Does Not Have (Top 5)
More restaurants
Nicer appearance
More and better parking
More group advertising
Greater variety of goods and services
More anchor stores like super markets & department stores
Features That Keyport Needs
Three Most Important Features (Top 10)
Waterfront redevelopment
Visual Improvements keeping attractive
More restaurants
A ferry
Greater variety goods & services
More parking, year round
Stores to stay open more days/hours/holidays
More parking particularly in summer
More retail stores
Public rest rooms
Features That Keyport Needs
Three Least Important Features (Top 10)
Improved access from highways
More housing/apts
Public restrooms
More chains and franchises
Outlets
Easier to get around by foot
Better, easier, safer traffic circulation
Stores to stay open more hours, days, holidays
Benches places to sit
Large stores
Ferry Service
Do you think that through a ferry service to Keyport your business would improve?
22 Answered Yes
6 Answered No
Ranking Keyport Business Area
Business owners were asked to mark what they think the Keyport business area is in the following categories:
Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor.
Excellent (Top Ten by Number Rank)
Convenience to home
Highway roadway access
Walkability
Friendliness of townspeople
Friendliness of retailers
Safety and perception of safety
Events promotion & marketing
Attractiveness of storefronts
Convenience to public transportation
Convenience of retail hours
|
Good (Top Ten by Number Rank)
Friendliness of retailers
Openness to diverse communities
Walkability
Safety and perception of safety
Highway and roadway access
Friendliness of townspeople
Events promotion and marketing
Convenience to home
Convenience to public transportation
Quality of stores and services
Quality of restaurants & entertainment
Places to sit and socialize
|
Fair (Top Ten by Number Rank)
Number and variety restaurants
Quality of stores and services
Attractiveness of the storefronts
Convenience of retail hours
Places to sit and socialize
Convenience of public transportation
Quality of restaurants, entertainment
Events, promotion and marketing
Maintenance sidewalks streets
Walkability
Utilization of the waterfront
|
Poor (Top Ten by Number Rank)
Number and variety of restaurants
Utilization of the waterfront
Quality of restaurants
Convenience of retail hours
Places to sit and socialize
Attractiveness of storefronts
Cleanliness maintenance of sidewalks
Cleanliness
Quality of stores and services
Friendliness of town people
Safety or perception of safety
Highway and roadway access
Convenience of public transportation |
Future Planning for Business Statements
Statement that most closely resembles your opinion about future planning for business district.
Statements(Top five By Number Rank)
Redevelopment of the waterfront with business in mind must be a priority, the rest will follow.
Restaurants with waterfront dining are very important.
Keyport should emphasize the heritage of the Bayshore (fishing, boating, & water recreation).
Attracting new business is critical.
We must retain and work with the unique "small town feeling" of Keyport - no one else has it.
New or expanded retail is needed.
Business area need to be better marketed.
Parking Facility
If there were a new parking facility to serve the downtown, where should it be located?
(Top Five by Number Rank)
Low profile parking garage in the municipal parking lot between Broad and Main.
No opinion, or difficult to choose from above
By the waterfront, beneath an amphitheatre
Diagonal parking on W Front St
Other (Details to follow)
Types of New Businesses
Personal opinion what types of stores and other businesses (existing and new) do you think would do well in Keyport?
(Top Five by Number Rank)
Fine restaurants
Clothing stores
Specialty sops catering to higher end clientele
House wares
Gourmet Market
Submitted by the Smart Growth Topical Business Committee
June 2, 2004
Kathaleen Shaw