by Michael Monks
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The Denver-based company charged with developing the Center City Action Plan which aims to revitalize Downtown Covington, as well as studying the feasibility of a Business Improvement District for our city, showed the results of a city-wide survey and what the people of Covington want from the plans. Progressive Urban Management Associates presented their findings at a public meeting Wednesday afternoon at the Artisan Enterprise Center.
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For the original reports from that presentation, see the two links below.
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PUMA created a survey to gauge the needs and wants of Covingtonians for their urban core. While the stories linked to above touch upon the findings, here are the complete results of the survey which saw participation from more than 750 stakeholders in Covington's future.
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ASSESSMENT OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
The study found that in the study area, there are 8,000 residents with modest household incomes. One key strength to the area is affordable rent. The survey found that median apartment rent is just $480 per month and that commercial rents range from just $6 - $12 per square foot per month. More strengths include the proximity to Downtown Cincinnati, the historic ambiance of Covington, and the parts of town already in good shape to attract visitors: Mainstrasse, the Library, and the Convention Center all bring more than a half million people to Covington each year. PUMA predicts that the addition of an urban campus for Gateway College "would be a game-changer".
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ONLINE SURVEY RESULTS
760 people responded to PUMA's online survey and the majority live, work, and/or own property in Covington's urban core. 34% are residents, 20% own a commercial property or business, and 16% are employees. The respondents skew older as 48% were in the age range of 50 - 69, 43% were 25 - 49. The most surprising finding is that the income of the respondents is attractive to plans for redevelopment and show people who likely have disposable income ready to be spent in Covington. 30% of respondents have incomes higher than $100,000 per year while another 37% range from $50,000 - $100,000.
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THERE IS MORE ON THIS STORY - AND YOU CAN FIND IT BY CLICKING BELOW!
THERE IS MORE ON THIS STORY - AND YOU CAN FIND IT BY CLICKING BELOW!
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This next slide from the presentation creates a word cloud from responses that followed instructions to volunteer three words that best describe how Downtown Covington should be. The larger the word, the more frequently it was used in response:
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MORE SHOPS WANTED, BUT PARKING IS LOW ON PRIORITY LIST
When asked what the priorities should be to boost the economy of the urban core, 22.7% said more shops & restaurants, 19.3% actually want a strategic Downtown plan, 11.4% said the attraction of more jobs and business, while 9.2% want to see more residential development. Interestingly, the convenience of parking was only the priority for 3.4%
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NOW IS THE TIME FOR COVINGTON TO ACT
There was a sense of urgency during the presentation and for the second time during a PUMA visit a reference was made to a window of time being open for our City. PUMA's Brad Segal instructed Covington that now is the time to prepare for the next cycle of investment and to understand that lifestyle trends indicate that people will continue to create and demand need for Downtown living, dining, and entertainment.
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THE ADVANTAGES OF COVINGTON
The City of Covington is not starting with a blank canvas in its efforts to bring more people and businesses here. The strengths highlighted by PUMA upon which Covington should capitalize during its revitalization efforts include affordable real estate, strong and distinct neighborhoods, its natural setting and historic character, and its opportunity to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
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THE KEY IS TO CONNECT COVINGTON'S STRENGTHS
PUMA pointed to three areas in Covington that are strong and insisted that final plan will include ways to connect these three areas and build upon them. Check out the slide:
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SIX ELEMENTS OF A VITAL CENTER CITY
PUMA highlighted six adjectives needed for Covington's urban core to move towards more success.
- Prosperous We must attract jobs, growth, and investment
- Inviting We must have safe, attractive, and welcoming neighborhoods
- Walkable It must be easy to navigate for both pedestrians and bikes
- Diverse The City must be socially and economically inclusive
- Collaborative The public and private sectors must work together
- Entrepreneurial We must embrace innovation and creative thought
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WHERE THE ACTION IS
In Covington, there are three areas with high activity and a couple others with moderate commercial activity. As mentioned above, the key will be connecting them. Check out this slide:
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THE ACTION PLAN FOR THE PLAN
So what's next? PUMA returns in March to present their final recommendations on the Center City Action Plan and the Business Improvement District feasibility study. The final plan was more than hinted at during the presentation Wednesday through this chart:
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The most important message coming from the presentation is that Covington already has the foundation and the setting for prosperity, even the old industrial train tracks which PUMA's Brad Segal said the City should celebrate and incorporate in its plans.
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WATCH FOR A FULL BREAKDOWN ON THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FEASIBILITY STUDY IN THE COMING DAYS, ONLY HERE AT THE RIVER CITY NEWS
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