(Continued from Two-way conversion survey results express division)
Forty percent of the merchants favored the two-way conversion, and 24 percent thought neither would stimulate economic and cultural growth.
If the merchants were to choose a project between the two, however, according to the results in the survey, they would choose the Reunification of Central Park. The results express division.
When the merchants were asked, “What do you know about how the project would be funded?” the most popular response was “Very Little” with 28 percent. “Nothing” received 25 percent of the votes, and “Enough,” 20 percent.
According to Mayor Tim Theaker, a five-tier study needs to unfold before either project moves forward. The studies would shed some light on the impact of five scenarios: Reunifying Central Park by itself, converting Main and Diamond streets into two-ways, a combination of both, a combination of both with all two-way streets, or with nothing at all.
“I do want the best for downtown Mansfield, but at what cost? Moving forward, we need to figure out the impact both of these [projects] are going to have. We need to figure out which is the best for us right now,” said Mayor Theaker.
Therefore, the city is waiting on a quote from two local engineering firms on how much this five-tier study will cost. Once the cost is finalized, the Central Park planning committee and/or John Fernyak for Two Way Conversion will discuss the funding of the engineering studies.
Follow Dillon Carr on Twitter @dilloncarrRS.
The sector between First Street and Fifth Street on both Main Street and Diamond Street was the area we contacted for survey completion. The total number of businesses contacted was 45. The number of businesses that filled out the survey was 36, which equates to an 80 percent completion rate. Some businesses filled out the survey electronically, some chose to do it by hand.
This study was conducted over a period of two months: November and December. The questions found on the survey were extrapolated by comments made by John Fernyak, merchants along one-way streets, and our Editorial team.
In an effort to be consistent and fair, we decided to follow the survey model of our previous survey with Central Park. However, this time we decided to ask merchants additional questions that were geared in comparing and contrasting the two proposed projects for downtown Mansfield: the reunification of Central Park and the two-way conversion of Main Street and Diamond Street.
Below, you will find a PDF copy of the survey used when handed to businesses.
