Shopping (“Too few stores that interest me”) and parking (“Not enough”) are what’s missing most downtown, according to a survey of local residents and stakeholders.
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Editor’s note: This the 3rd part in an ongoing series about the 94-page downtown strategic vision plan that was unanimously adopted by the Planning Board during a special meeting on Feb. 8 and presented to City Council on Feb. 14. The 94-page plan can be viewed in its entirety here. This post focuses on community input gathered from a survey during the process.
The downtown strategic plan’s public input survey, conducted from Aug. 9 through Sept. 10, received more than 550 responses — not all respondents answered all questions. Questions asked included how downtown is viewed today, the way it is used, and how downtown could be improved. About 40% of respondents said they visit downtown two or more days per week; about 75% said they visit on both weekdays and weekends.
Respondents generally view downtown positively but there is room for improvement. When asked “How much do you like downtown Rahway (as a whole) right now,” about 50% of responses were “Satisfied. Good overall, but could still be improved.” About 40% said “Somewhat. It’s okay, but it needs some work.” Less than 10% of responses replied that they did not like downtown Rahway at all or that they were very satisfied.
When asked how they would describe downtown Rahway *today* common responses included “up and coming,” “getting better,” “on the rise,” and “has potential.” Responses more critical of downtown centered around overdevelopment and parking, including “not enough parking,” “too many apartments,” “overbuilt,” and “congested.”
“What types of establishments are missing downtown?”
Shopping was the number one response to what is missing downtown. More than 300 respondents “agreed” (~55%) and 187 “somewhat agreed” (~34%) to the statement “too few stores or shops that interest me,” for a total of nearly 90% agreed. “Not enough parking” was agreed on some level by 70% of respondents, with 50% “agree” and another 20% “somewhat agree.”
More than 40% of respondents agreed that they “can’t find a convenient place to park” and another quarter “somewhat agreed,” for a combined almost 70%. However, a majority disagreed that traffic congestion or walkability/pedestrian friendliness was an issue that impacts their desire to visit downtown.
Most respondents said there is not enough parking but others said there is plenty of parking but people do not know where to go; are not willing to pay for parking, or park a couple of blocks away. Some found the new parking meter system not user friendly and that the differing parking rules are confusing, such as 2-hour parking zones versus 4-hour parking zones.
When asked if they agree or disagree that “certain physical improvements are required to improve downtown,” about 80% of respondents “agreed” or “somewhat agreed” that all of the improvements were required to improve downtown. Almost 60% agreed on additional parking while other improvements, such as, added lighting, additional public open space, and improved building facades, garnered about 40% agreement.
“An overwhelming majority of respondents said the existing condition of the train trestle and the need for improvements,” according to the study. While many participants understood that the city does not own the trestle (Amtrak does), they noted that neighboring towns do not seem to have the same issue. The train trestle divides the downtown, and the current condition of the trestle discourages people from going to other areas, according to the study. City Council recently awarded a $141,000 contract for the final design phase of improvements to the three trestles downtown.
As part of the planning process, interviews were conducted in July and August with stakeholders, who included members of the arts community, business community, restaurant owners, community organizations, developers, clergy, and officials.
“Feedback was as diverse as the type of participants; however, one uniting element was an overall pride in Rahway and its potential to continue to improve and grow. Generally, respondents commented that there are plenty of existing assets, however, there is also untapped potential and room for improvement.”
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