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Main Street survey finds dining drives downtown visits; advocates push to fill empty storefronts
Summary
A Main Street presentation to the EDA reported 404 survey responses showing dining (89%) as the top reason visitors come downtown; respondents also prioritized filling empty storefronts, improved facades, landscaping and events to attract visitors and new businesses.
Main Street presented results from a community survey and stakeholder outreach during the meeting, reporting 404 responses and demographic patterns the organization said are statistically meaningful for local planning. The presentation said dining accounts for 89% of reasons people visit downtown; the farmer's market, special events and arts programming also ranked highly.
Respondents skewed older (majority 45+), and Main Street highlighted a demand shortfall in the 2023 market study: restaurant and grocery "leakage" figures that suggest additional dining or specialty-grocery square footage could be supported within a 30-minute drive area. "We had, 404 responses," the presenter said when summarizing participation; the group said it will repeat the survey biennially to guide grants and project work.
Main Street also noted plans for new murals and an "open for business" program to assist existing businesses and recruit new ones. Board members discussed coordinating planning grants so the EDA and Main Street do not submit competing applications for the same properties, and proposed a joint meeting between EDA, Main Street and the planning commission to align priorities before pursuing downtown or uptown projects.
