Elizabeth Seeks Consumer Participation In Revitalization Study
4.17.2009
Elizabeth Avenue – The Elizabeth Avenue Partnership (EAP) is seeking input from people who live in, work in or visit the shops and restaurants of Elizabeth Avenue, as part of an ongoing market analysis and retail assessment of the area which is being conducted to produce a comprehensive strategy for the corridor’s future growth and development.
The result of this assessment will hopefully enhance the lives of all who work and live in the Elizabeth Avenue business corridor.
The public is invited to complete a survey that will gather information about their preferences for stores, restaurants, activities and other amenities that would make the district more attractive and enjoyable. The anonymous survey, which will be available beginning in March, can be obtained online at www.ElizAveSurvey.com, and at local
retailers in the district displaying a bright yellow window sign saying “Elizabeth Survey Available inside”. It will be available in Spanish and in English. Printed surveys are postage-paid self-mailers, so that there is no cost to participate.
“We want to bring new vitality to our business district, and the survey is essential for residents, workers and visitors to have their voices heard and to play a key role in formulating plans for the future,” said David Strochak, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Avenue Partnership. “Elizabeth belongs to the people who live, work and visit here. To be successful, we need to know the opinions, needs and desires of those people – what’s good and what’s bad, what works and what doesn’t, and their wish lists. The survey enables us to do that.”
The consumer survey is part of an extensive study now underway called “Community Insights™,” which is a comprehensive and customized process of gathering information that is specific to the trade area, and determining strategies accordingly. Information gleaned from the survey will be combined with other economic data to identify stores and restaurants to recruit to the area, and to specify changes, events and
activities people utilizing the district would like to see. It also will help to understand who does and does not visit the area, what stores and activities they patronize, and why.
The complete study, which is being conducted by the JGSC Group, of Merchantville, NJ, gathers information from municipal officials, local planning and zoning documents, business organizations, merchants, property owners, residents, shoppers, visitors and other stakeholders to determine the most important factors that will revitalize economic growth and build consensus for action. Utilizing such a thorough process, the study will reveal the essential elements necessary for success on Elizabeth Avenue, including measuring support for the revitalization initiatives and strategies; finding untapped consumer demand for retail goods and services; strengthening existing businesses; determining the most sustainable retail categories for businesses within the study area; developing building-by-building, block-by-block strategies to launch the revitalization; recruiting new businesses and attracting more shoppers and visitors to patronize the area. The result is a comprehensive revitalization plan employing strategies such as business recruitment, business retention and a cooperative destination marketing approach which will energize growth for Elizabeth.
This Site Provided by Elizabeth Avenue Partnership 815 Elizabeth Avenue, Suite # 302, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Phone 908.965.0660 Fax 908.353.0989 eap@elizabethavenue.org
Elizabeth Avenue – The Elizabeth Avenue Partnership (EAP) is seeking input from people who live in, work in or visit the shops and restaurants of Elizabeth Avenue, as part of an ongoing market analysis and retail assessment of the area which is being conducted to produce a comprehensive strategy for the corridor’s future growth and development.