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NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release
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Contact: Ray Gillen, Metroplex
(518) 377-1109 ext. 1
(518) 461-7137 (cell)
New Siena College Research Institute Survey Shows Strong Support for Redevelopment Efforts in Downtown Schenectady
Schenectady, N.Y., February 27, 2015 — The Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority today released the results of a new survey conducted by the Siena College Research Institute.
“On every metric, this survey shows, Schenectady County residents are coming downtown at increasing rates and support continuing development. Downtown not only matters to Schenectady County residents but they are proud of and excited by the progress,” said Siena Research Institute’s Director, Dr. Don Levy.
Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair said, “This survey will help us to continue to improve and refine our redevelopment work in Schenectady County.”
The survey found that:
- 89% of County residents surveyed visited downtown Schenectady for work, business, entertainment, shopping or any other reason in the last 12 months, up from 79 percent in 2008.
- 83% of Schenectady residents agree that in order for Schenectady County to be a first class place to live, the community needs an active and appealing downtown.
- 79% think a revitalized downtown will help everyone in the county.
- 81% agree or strongly agree with the statement that downtown Schenectady has really come back to life in the last few years.
- 74% agree that they are excited about the new developments in the downtown area.
- 86% say that their overall opinion of downtown Schenectady is considerably (53%) better or a little better (33%) than it was several years ago and 81% say that their opinion of downtown is better than it was ten years ago.
- Looking forward, 70% believe that downtown will continue to be revitalized while only 20% expect it to stay about the same as today and 8% anticipate a less appealing area.
- 70% support the development of additional housing in downtown. 26% of all residents and 40% of those 18 to 34 years old say that they would consider living downtown.
- 75% percent support using a small percentage of Schenectady County sales tax revenue for funding efforts to create jobs in downtown Schenectady and 66% support using sales tax revenue to provide funding for downtown development projects. 58% support using public monies to assist in the redevelopment of business parks in Schenectady County. Metroplex invests ½ % of the County sales tax for economic development efforts so this shows support for the Metroplex development model.
- For those who are very familiar, somewhat familiar or not very familiar with Metroplex, when asked whether they would say that Metroplex has or has not been as asset to the community, 73 percent say that it has been an asset. Among those that are very or somewhat familiar with Metroplex, over 80 percent say that the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority has been an asset to the community.
The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9%. Metroplex last conducted a Siena survey in 2008. A copy of the new survey is available at this link.
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About Siena College Research Institute
Founded in 1980, the Siena College Research Institute conducts regional, statewide and national surveys on business, economic, political, voter, social, academic and historical issues. The surveys include both expert and public opinion polls.