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Survey Results for DevelopSpringfield's
700 State Street Redevelopment Project
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to our recent survey on redevelopment alternatives for the former River Inn site at 700 State Street. DevelopSpringfield purchased the property in 2013 along with two adjacent lots on Thompson Street for redevelopment into a commercial use that could create jobs, increase tax revenues for the City and help stimulate further reinvestment within the State Street Corridor. Redevelopment of the property has been challenging and through the use of the survey, we hoped to gain additional insight into potential alternatives based on input from people who live, attend school, visit or work Mason Square area and the State Street corridor.
The on-line survey, launched on July 22, was distributed to our newsletter distribution list, posted on Facebook, Twitter and on the DevelopSpringfield website. In addition, links were forwarded to seven neighborhood councils and to others who distributed it to their networks. A total of 471 responses were received by the time the survey concluded on August 7.
Overall, 18% of respondents lived in Mason Square, 41% worked on or near State Street and 26% attended school in the area. Some respondents fell in more than one category. 68% reported that they drove through Mason Square daily or frequently. Approximately 10% travelled by bus either daily or frequently and just under 14% indicated that they were daily or frequent walkers. Again, respondents could fall into one or more categories.
Respondents were asked how frequently they would likely patronize various potential businesses. The uses that respondents indicated they would patronize most included Panera Bread (60%), Dunkin Donuts (60%), Chipotle (57%) and Friendly's (56%). A majority of respondents indicated that they would rarely or never patronize most of the fast-food options listed. 73% of respondents indicated that they would rarely or never patronize a McDonalds or a Pizza Hut while 71% would rarely or never patronize a Taco Bell and 68% would rarely or never patronize a KFC.
The survey also asked respondents to indicate their level of support for each of the uses listed. The uses with the greatest support (indicated by strongly support or support) included Panera Bread (66%), Dunkin Donuts (54%) and Chipotle Mexican Grille (53%). The uses that were the most opposed (indicated by strongly oppose or oppose) were McDonald's (46%), Pizza Hut (38%), and Taco Bell (37%).
Participants were given the opportunity to share their own ideas as well. While no specific use for the site stood out, the comments do provide meaningful input. Click here to review the complete results of the survey.
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