Mon. June 19, 2006
(Washington, DC) A recent survey of Downtown pedestrians’ perceptions about this area has netted rave reviews, according to a survey performed at several intersections in the city’s traditional commercial core. The Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) has been conducting the bi-annual study since 2000 to track pedestrian views on safety, transportation, shopping and a variety of other variables indicating their experience in Downtown. The results have been trending positively upward with each survey.
“We’re seeing the results of phenomenal economic growth and innovative urban planning,” said Richard Bradley, executive director of the Downtown BID. “The Downtown experience continues to improve for workers, residents and visitors. People say overwhelmingly that they feel safe, that there’s a great deal to do and that Downtown is easy to get to.”
A significant majority of pedestrians interviewed (81%) agreed with the statement, “There are a lot of things to do Downtown.”
An equally impressive 84% of pedestrians agreed with the statement, “I feel safe in Downtown DC.”
The questionnaire also addressed accessibility, a critical issue throughout the metropolitan Washington region, prompting a remarkable 85% of those surveyed to agree with the statement, “It’s easy to get Downtown from your home.”
Yet another positive trend for Downtown DC emerged from the survey: the current average household income of Downtown pedestrians has risen to $83,400 — up from $70,100 in 2004 and $42,000 in 2000.
Gentleman Associates in Indianapolis conducted the survey in May 2006.
The Downtown Business Improvement District is a private, non-profit organization providing safety, hospitality, maintenance, homeless, economic development, transportation, streetscape and marketing services to Washington, DC’s center city. Our mission is to help promote Downtown as a premier commercial, cultural and residential destination.
For more information, please contact Jay Greco at 202.626.1144 or jayg@downtowndc.org.