Residents giving city high marks

ThisWeek News – April 6, 2016

People who work and live in Dublin are pretty happy about it.

According to results from the 2016 Community Attitudes Survey, nine of 10 people said they’re happy to live, work or retire in Dublin, said Marty Saperstein.

Saperstein, of Saperstein Associates conducted the Community Attitudes Survey early this year with a sample of 400 registered voters.

“It’s reaffirming to receive such positive feedback from residents,” said Dana McDaniel, Dublin city manager.

“At the same time there’s always room for improvement,” he said.

“The results of this survey are an integral part of planning for the future, along with all the public input we receive.

“The city has a strong tradition of engaging and listening to the community and we will continue to uphold that tradition.”

Saperstein Associates has conducted the Community Attitudes Survey for Dublin in 2008, 2010 and 2013, said Sandra Puskarcik, Dublin’s director of community relations.

“We’re happy to report the high marks continue in 2016,” Puskarcik said.

According to results from Saperstein, the survey gives the city data that can aid in decision-making.

When residents were asked why they liked the city, they had many answers.

Those answers included city services, schools, safety, a sense of community, bike paths and more.

In fact, 99 percent of residents are satisfied with parks, 97 percent are happy with Dublin’s outdoor pools and 96 are happy with the city’s bike paths, Saperstein said.

City programming, events, snow removal and mosquito removal all ranked high, with nine out of 10 people polled saying they were satisfied.

Traffic, however, continues to be a concern with residents.

“When asked what top priorities for the city should be people said traffic, schools and safety,” Saperstein said.

In fact, traffic scored lower than other areas on the survey with 77 percent of people polled saying they were satisfied with how city officials are managing the flow of traffic.

When it comes to keeping residents informed, 90 percent said they were happy with how the city keeps them updated with information, and 79 percent said they were satisfied with how the city listens to their concerns.

“It’s almost always lower and it’s hard to tell if folks think you listen or agree with them,” Saperstein said.

Police also scored well in the survey, with eight out of 10 residents very satisfied with the police. Saperstein said 99 percent of people polled reported they believed Dublin police are well-trained and keep neighborhoods safe.

“Those numbers are impressive,” Saperstein said.

Bridge Street District opinions in the community have improved since the 2013 survey, with 97 percent familiar with the projects, as opposed to 53 percent in 2013.

Nine out of 10 residents have positive impressions of the Bridge Street District, with restaurants, shops, forward-looking plans and a focus on walking being things people are interested in there.

Those who did have negative impressions on the Bridge Street District listed traffic, overbuilding, too urban, too many apartments and too expensive as the chief concerns, Saperstein reported.

Nine out of 10 people polled, however, said they think the Bridge Street District will help Dublin attract young professionals and 90 percent said they believe it will help strengthen the economy in the city.

All in all, city officials seemed pleased with results and McDaniel said it will help Dublin find areas to improve upon.

“Residents continue to feel that the quality of life in Dublin is excellent,” Saperstein said.