This document summarizes feedback gathered from: Surveys at Detroit Works Project (DWP) Community Forums in 2010; Registration

and Comment Sheets, Keypoint multiple-choice questions, and video comments collected at DWP cluster-based meetings and Community Access Centers between January and March 2011; Online survey responses collected between January and March 2011; Registration and Comment Sheets, round-table discussion summaries, and Text The Mob responses collected at DWP summit meetings between March and May of 2011; and Street Team responses collected between March and May 2011. This document is produced by Community Legal Resources . Please direct questions to Elizabeth Luther (eluther@clronline.org, 313.969.7166).

BY TOPIC SEPTEMBER 2010 MAY 2011

FEEDBACK SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

TOPICS & SUBTOPICS

This document uses four foundational topics to structure the summary of DWP Public Feedback (Phase 1 & 2). Each of the four topics breaks down into summaries of feedback on 1) Current conditions (trends), 2) Ideas for Change (Transformations), and 3) Significant or interesting comments.

1. Land Use 2. Economy 3. Infrastructure

Transportation & Transit Public services

cluster

4. Neighborhoods

1. LAND USE

Current Conditions Top Themes

Respondents recognize the value of land in the form of parks, natural features, and open space especially in terms of proximity to where they live. Respondents also generally recognize that unused or abandoned parcels and structures in their neighborhoods and citywide can have negative impacts (on neighborhoods, City service efficiency, etc.).

Examples

Open-ended Phase 1 | Nearly 9% of all comments referenced vacant land or vacant property.
Many of the comments referencing vacant land or property also included questions about acquisition. Over 1/3 of the comments about vacancy note the issue of blight and its negative impact on the neighborhoods. 33% of respondents mentioned parks, recreation areas or centers, natural features, or open space.

cluster

Open-ended Phase 2a | 533 Responses | What is your favorite place in your neighborhood?

1. LAND USE

Ideas for Change Top Theme

A small portion of respondents were prepared to discuss density and efficient land use as a primary goal. When unprompted, however, many respondents noted that other needs (improved services especially those related to safety, housing, and transportation) seemed more important to their neighborhoods or to Detroits future.

Examples
Keypoint Phase 2a | 850 Responses
46% What services will people need? 29% Who will live here?

Which question is most important to [how the City will invest]?

25% Where will people live?

Open-ended Phase 2a | 536 Responses cluster

Hopes for neighborhoods, and 30-year vision for Detroit

4% of responses to both questions addressed more efficient land use and improved density

1. LAND USE

Significant or Interesting Comments

Environmental Summit | Phase 2b Needs and Hopes for improving Detroit
Land use improvements (e.g. those related to agriculture, density, parks, open space, zoning, parking) were the category of improvements respondents most frequently mentioned. Respondents top areas of interest included: (1) Land (2) Agriculture/Food Systems (3) Transportation/Mobility

Entrepreneurs Summit | Phase 2b Needs and Hopes for improving Detroit

Land use and design improvements (e.g. those related to density, walkability, good design, vibrancy, and activity) were the 2nd-most frequently mentioned category of improvements.

Trends by geography & age | Phase 2a

clusterRespondents aged 18 to 34 (correlated with respondents from Cluster 4) were more likely to mention land
use, density and infill than respondents from other age groups and clusters.

2. ECONOMY

Current Conditions Top Themes

In describing what they like about their neighborhoods or Detroit as a whole, respondents rarely mention having jobs, access to jobs, the economy generally, or access to commercial and retail amenities. Respondents representing the business community perceive that red tape at the City level permitting, licensing, customer service holds back Detroit-based businesses.

Example
Open-ended Phase 2a | 533 Responses | What is your favorite place in your neighborhood?
Only 5% of respondents mentioned something related to retail (e.g. commercial corridors, shops) 17% of respondents mentioned places related to food access (e.g. farmers markets, coffee shops, restaurants) 78% of respondents mentioned places where retail and commerce is not the primary focus (e.g. parks, libraries)

2. ECONOMY

Ideas for Change Top Themes

Nearly all respondents mentioned general improvements to the economy, jobs, and job access as necessary components for improving Detroits future. Many respondents suggested focusing on entrepreneurialism, small business support and growth, emerging or new industries, green technology, and urban agriculture to improve Detroits economy.

Examples
Keypoint Phase 2a | 985 Responses
How important is it for Detroiters to have access to jobs in Detroit?
87% Very important 10% Somewhat important 2% Not very important 1% Not important

cluster 2a | 925 Responses Keypoint Phase

What industry could have the greatest economic impact on Detroits future?

36% Emerging Industries 12% Healthcare 10% Manufacturing 30% Small Businesses Growth / Entrepreneurship 12% Fright / Logistics / Trade

2. ECONOMY

Significant or Interesting Comments

New Americans Summit | Phase 2b
Respondents focused on immigrants employment rights and support for small business as the third-most important need or hope for Detroits future.

Youth Summit | Phase 2b | 68 Responses

What do you think is a problem when looking for a job?
36% Lack of resources 28% Transportation 18% Negative stereotypes 18% Challenging against adults

Entrepreneurs Summit | Phase 2b | Needs and Hopes for improving Detroit Trends by geography & age | Phase 2a

1) The Citys approach to dealing with business (e.g. permitting, licensing, reducing red tape, customer service) 2) Encouraging and advocating for entrepreneurship and small businesses

cluster

Respondents from Cluster 2 were more interested in access to jobs (than respondents from other clusters). Respondents from Clusters 3 and 4 were more interested in commercial corridor improvements ( ). Respondents from Cluster 8 were more interested in emerging industries ( ). Respondents aged 75 and older were more likely to mention jobs and commerce in describing their hope for neighborhood improvements through the DWP ( age groups ).

3. INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSPORTATION

Current Conditions Top Themes

The majority of respondents said they relied on personal automobile to get around the city; frustrations related to this mode primarily include traffic safety and road quality. Those who indicated they did not use public transportation cited unreliability and safety issues as their primary reasons for not using it.

Example
If you cluster do not currently use public transportation, what best describes the reason?
36% Unreliability 33% Safety and/or quality of bus stop 25% Inability to reach destination 4% Lack of access to bus stop 3% Cost

Keypoint Phase 2a | 838 Responses

3. INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSPORTATION

Ideas for Change Top Themes

Respondents comments on this topic suggest both a significant interest in newer, alternate forms of transportation (improved public transportation in the city and regionally, amenities for bicycles and pedestrians, accessible environments), and a continued reliance on transportation via automobile.

Examples
Open-ended Phase 2a | Hopes for Detroits future
Improvements to public transportation (e.g. light rail, intercity/regional transportation, and bus rapid transit) were the 2nd-most frequently mentioned category of improvements, behind improvements to the citys appearance, cleanliness, and beauty.

Keypoint Phase 2a | 901 Responses

Which changes are most necessary to improve transportation? Improvements for:
73% Mass transit riders 17% Automobiles 7% Bicycles 4% Pedestrians

3. INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSPORTATION

Significant or Interesting Comments

Youth Summit | Phase 2b | 70 Responses | How do you get around the city?
39% Drive (car) 26% Get a ride from family 19% Bus 16% Walk 1% Cab

Senior Summit | Phase 2b | Which type of transportation do / would you . . .

Use most often (191 Responses):

Most like to use in the future (191 Responses):

34% public transportation 25% Door-to-door service 21% Automobile 17% An accessible environment 3% Other / dont know

53% Automobile 30% Public transportation 7% Door-to-door service 7% An accessible environment 3% Other / dont know

Trends by geography, age, and race | Phase 2a

cluster

Respondents aged 18 to 34 (correlated with respondents from Cluster 4) were more likely to mention improvements to public (mass) and non-motorized transportation as improvements that would positively impact their neighborhoods (than respondents from other age groups). Respondents from Cluster 8 were more likely to choose improvements for bicyclists as highly important ( clusters). Respondents who selected Black/African-American as their race were more likely to choose improvements for automobiles as highly important ( who selected a different race category).

3. INFRASTRUCTURE PUBLIC SERVICES*

Current Conditions Top Themes

Many respondents see a disparity between their tax burden and the level and quality of services the City is able to deliver. Respondents top City service concerns related to public safety, e.g. police and EMT response time, well-lit streets, and illegal activity (dumping, drugs, crime) associated with vacancy and blight.

Examples

Keypoint Phase 2a | 838 Responses Which of the following services is most important to your quality of life?
65% Public safety 13% Public health 10% Mass transit 8% Parks and recreation 5% Public lighting

Keypoint cluster Phase 2a | 794 Responsesof population loss in your neighborhood? What is the most damaging impact
40% Increase in blight 36% Paying more for less effective services 25% Inability to reach destination 4% Lack of access to bus stop
*Note that at many meetings, respondents were given the option to submit City Service requests to the City. Comments from those cards are not included in this summary.

3. Infrastructure Public Services*

Ideas for Change Top Themes

Respondents suggestions for City services primarily included overall improvements to the quality of the services themselves (e.g. ensure all street lights are working), and, in some cases, to the Citys interaction with residents in dealing with service issues. One of the most consistently requested suggestion for a new City service was for curbside recycling.

Example
Open-ended Phase 1 | Respondents suggestions for the future
private entities, block clubs and churches.
*Note that at many meetings, respondents were given the option to submit City Service requests to the City. Comments from those cards are not included in this summary.

cluster of future city service delivery suggestions suggested working to partner with existing nonprofits, 30%

3. Infrastructure Public Services*

Significant or Interesting Comments

Senior Summit | Phase 2b
Seniors top City service needs included improvements to, in order of frequency mentioned:
(5) Emergency services (6) Privatization (dont privatize) (7) Street maintenance (8) Animal / pest control (1) Lighting (2) Responsiveness & accountability, generally (3) High tax burden (4) Garbage / bulk pickup

Entrepreneurs Summit | Phase 2b | Needs and Hopes for improving Detroit

The Citys approach to dealing with business (e.g. permitting, licensing, reducing red tape, customer service).

Artists Summit | Phase 2b | Needs and Hopes for improving Detroit

The Citys approach to dealing with the arts community, e.g. providing information or a point person, recognizing the arts community, and clarifying City processes.

Trends by geography | Phase 2a

Respondents from Clusters 5 and 10 were more likely to mention a range of City service improvements throughout their responses to various prompts (than respondents from other clusters). Respondents from Clusters 2 and 7 were more interested in City service improvements related to general appearance, e.g. cleanliness and blight removal, ( ).
*Note that at many meetings, respondents were given the option to submit City Service requests to the City. Comments from those cards are not included in this summary.

4. NEIGHBORHOODS

Current Conditions Top Theme

Respondents generally indicated they liked their neighborhoods. They listed projects and activities related to community organizing, development, cleanliness, beauty, and safety as particularly relevant to their neighborhoods health.

Examples
Keypoint Phase 2a | 903 Responses
Are there active interventions or investments in your neighborhood?
51% Yes 26% Dont know 23% No

Open-ended Phase 2a | 533 Responses

What is your favorite place in your neighborhood? In order of frequency mentioned:
(1) Parks, greenways, recreation centers (4) Religious institutions (2) Restaurants, bars, coffee shops (5) Schools, museums, (3) Community centers & nonprofits libraries, galleries 35% Sense of community 25% Location (6) Food access: markets and gardens (7) Retail locations, commercial corridors

Keypoint Phase 2a | 845 Responses | What is your neighborhoods most important asset?
24% Housing 16% Access to recreational and cultural opportunities

cluster

4. NEIGHBORHOODS

Ideas for Change Top Themes

Respondents suggestions for neighborhood change were largely correlated with their geographic location, and with activities already taking place in their neighborhoods. For instance, those from areas with seemingly organized communities had more specific visions for their futures, while those from less organized communities suggested more general neighborhood improvements. Respondents mostly agreed that all neighborhoods could benefit from general improvements (e.g. stabilization, repopulation, removal or reuse of vacant properties).

Example cluster Keypoint Phase 2a | 830 Responses | What should be done first to make neighborhoods stronger?
47% Repopulate stable neighborhoods 39% Spread resources to neighborhoods across the city 12% Disinvest in declining neighborhoods 2% Stabilize neighborhoods

4. NEIGHBORHOODS

Significant or Interesting Comments

Street Team | 234 Responses | What do you like about Detroit?
Respondents top responses ( of total items mentioned) to this question included: 18% Residents and neighborliness 11% Community, neighborhoods, and community organizing

Youth Summit | Phase 2b | 86 Responses

What is the biggest threat to your neighborhood?
31% Abandoned houses 30% Drugs 28% Violence/gangs 10% Litter

Senior Summit | Phase 2b | 220 Responses

What is the most important thing that the City can do to make neighborhoods more senior friendly
40% Remove abandoned houses/buildings 33% Assist older persons with home/neighb. improvements 15% Remove debris and blight 10% Replace vacant lots with infill housing

Trends by geography & age | Phase 2a

cluster Clusters 2, 1, 6 and 7 were more likely to mention that there were no activities or interventions Respondents from
taking place in their neighborhoods (than respondents from other Clusters). Respondents from Clusters 4 and 8 were more likely to mention there were active interventions or investments taking place in their neighborhoods ( ).