City of Rocky River Department of Economic Development

Rocky River High School Business Department

Nov. 10 – Letters and Surveys mailed to 500 businesses.

Nov. 17–Dec. 17 – Students Interviewing and Collecting data

Jan. 5-12 - Data Compilation Dec 30– Invitations Mailed to 500

businesses Jan 15 – Presentation of findings

Telemarketing Stigma - Kelsey Hours Soliciting – Tommy Awkward Moments – Nolan Multiple Occupants – Often just got one

survey ( Professional Practices)

140 Completed Surveys 44% Participation322 Attempted Surveys

1-5 6-15 16-30 30+

Full-timeEmployees 102 16 6 4

Part-TimeEmployees 79 15 6 2

1 Year or Less

1-5 Years

6-10 Years

10+ Years

Years at Location

9 28 27 67

Professional Services 52 (Accounting, Lawyers, Insurance, Financial) Medical Dental 24 Retail 17 Sales 16 Real Estate 10 Banks 5 Other 2

Yes – 114 92% No – 8 Maybe – 2

Reasons for NoEconomyBetter locationBuilding in Foreclosure (21360)No maintenanceBuilding for saleRetiring

Yes – 40 (New Signage, Interior Remodel, Paint) Building Owners

No – 91 Building Tenants

85% have adequate space

Yes – 20 No – 100 Maybe - 3

Retail – EAST END (Walmart, Bestbuy, TJ Maxx, Costco, Bed

Bath and Beyond) Professional – 22 (Medical, Dental, Software, Real Estate,

Attorneys, Medical Arts Building) Restaurants – 9 MIXED (Taco Bell, Home Town Buffet, High Quality

Deli)

Services - 4 (UPS Store, Car wash, Gym, Golf Range) Grocery Store – 3 EAST END (Whole Foods)

Yes – 120 95% No - 7

Need more parking and Bigger lotPoorly maintained lotPoor lighting (20525) Westgate Tower BuildingSewer backup off Pease into lot (21590)Stop letting semis park (Pet Supermarket)Difficult to enter and exit

Yes- 35 No – 100

POSITIVE NEGATIVE Rustic – More Traffic Panera Bread Dollar Bank – opportunities Boston

Market Convenience Bruegger’s Walgreen’s – More Traffic

Rockport Redevelopment (Whole Foods, TJ Maxx) Vacant Complex by Wooster Road Property Owner Reinvestment (Buildings in Disrepair, Modernize Buildings,

Clearer Signage)

Modern Lighting Historic Lighting Plant Trees Create Park-like Space Remove protesters

Less Traffic Lights Faster Traffic Lights Additional Traffic Lane Less Buses Direct Access from Westgate to Forestview Traffic light in front of Goldwood School

Better Snow Removal ( Sidewalks ) Water Drainage Improvement Less Power outages

Increased Traffic and customers Improved appearance draws customers Rising tide floats all boats Easier access draws more people More residents equals regular business Deserted Appearance of east end repels

customers

Yes – 108 No – 4 Changes Needed :

More Wi-Fi Connection Points

Yes – 28 30% No – 72

Good opportunity to recruit new members

Yes

No

Good/Excellent – 98%

Garbage Removal Police Streets and Snow Removal Easy to work with.