Residents rate traffic flow, safety, tax rates top priorities

ThisWeek News – April 21, 2013

Eight of ten Dublin residents think their city is excellent.

A biennial community survey conducted by Martin Saperstein of Saperstein Associates found residents are pretty pleased with their home town.

The survey was given to a random sample of 400 registered voters within Dublin via landlines and cell phones, Saperstein told Dublin City Council members last week.

“The survey is representative of the community at large,” he said.

Residents largely reported liking life in Dublin, with 78 percent rating it an excellent place to live and another 20 percent rated it good. Only 2 percent of residents rated Dublin an average place to live.

As for working in Dublin, 60 percent rated the city excellent and 34 percent said it’s good.

Retiring in Dublin, however, is not viewed as favorably.

“Only three of 10 consider Dublin a good place to retire,” Saperstein said.

Residents also reported satisfaction with city amenities, services, police and communications, although traffic flow was rated at the bottom of the list.

“Improving traffic flow is a top priority,” Saperstein said.

While Dublin uses the community survey to check up on city amenities and services, it’s also used to gain input about projects.

“The information is extremely valuable to tell us if we’re on the right course for our current planning efforts and in mapping out plans for the future,” Director of Community Relations Sandra Puskarcik said in a news release.

Managing traffic flow along with keeping the city safe and lowering or maintaining property taxes were among top priorities for residents surveyed.

Residents were also asked for input about nine community projects and rated improving traffic flow at the top, followed by implementing the Bridge Street district and improving the library.

Bringing more shops and restaurants to Dublin along with constructing bike paths fell lower on the priority lists of residents surveyed, while building a new city hall was rated last.

When it comes to priorities for the Bridge Street district, residents surveyed want to see more park land along the Scioto River and a pedestrian bridge, as well as more civic activity such as green space, a plaza, city offices or a new library.

Interest in expanding Dublin’s downtown to the east and adding more housing options within walking distance to Historic Dublin were rated lower.

City Council members will use the results from the community survey to plan goals and list priority projects.

Results of the survey can be found online at Dublin.oh.us.