Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey Surveys Completed: 49 90in inBelle BelleRiver River Q1. What type of business do you operate:
Sales of goods to Sale of goods to people businesses 32 9 Other 9
Services to people 31
Services to business 7
Q2. How long has yo ur business been in the downtown BIA area? Under 2 year 2-8 years 9-15 years 16-30 years 8 21 17 21
Q3. Do you: Own the space in which the business is located Rent/lease the space in which the business is located
Restaurant/ Food Auto Related services 10 4
31 years 17
40 45
Q.4 How many people (full time, part time, or contract) does your business employ Full time
1 22
2 to 5 40
6 to 10 8
11 to 20 4
21 + 1
Part Time 1
2 to 5 22
6 to 10 8
11 to 20 6
21 + 2
2 to 5 3
6 to 10 0
11 to 20 0
21 + 1
9
Seasonal 1 2
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Medical or Dental 7
Finance,insurance real estate 9
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey Q.5 Over the last five years has your business: Improved Stayed the same Declined 46 23 14
Q.6 Do you plan to expand you business Yes 26
No Q. 7 If yes, when Next year 4
56
do you plan to expand your business? 2 to 5 years 17
5 years or beyond 1
Q.7 To what do you attribute your busines's expansion Volume of business Quality of service, xx Cooper's Mill Need more room, xx Growth, increasing number of new patients Personal choice, relocation of business Increased circulation - vital to our business Expansion is not the building but growth or our existing portfolios More Space, new store needed Bigger Store for more variety Internal service improvements
Increased need Drinking Demand of product and service Expansion of my personal reputation Increased population Rebuilding new business Advertising To other parts of Lakeshore more computers at other locations for internet access Hard work, marketing, excellent produce Availability of property at existing location
Q. 8 Circle the top 5 elements most important to maintaining your downtown business presence Access to 401 Cleanliness Green Spaces/ Access to Lake Location of Municpl. Restaurant Art & Cultural Corridor Parks Marina St.Clair Office in D.T Core Selection Opportunities 10 33 7 8 3 12 5 Housing options Retail variety Atmosphere Cost of parking Nightlife Access to Cnty rd 22 Avail. of Parking 9 15 10 3 2 14 25
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Commercial Rental Rates 15 Density of people 31
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey Public Trans. 3 Labour Cost
Special Events 10 Skilled Labour
Cental location Diversity of people Access to banks and other finacial inst. 32 8 11 Occupancy/ Available Land Corporate tax rate Local incentives Contruction Costs 6 6 2 4 7 9 Prox. To suppliers Raw materials avail. Training Programs Access to airport Rail service Waterway access 0 0 2 0 2 5 Energy Avail. IT Availabilty Marketing 1 0 18
Others (listed): Community involvement Growth in housing development Local support Visibility
Access to media Computer 1 3 Prox. To major Avail. Of buildings markets 5 4 Prox. To University Prox. To College 0 1
Walking distance Family community Growing economy Prox. To schools
Q.8 On a scale of one to three (1 = Needs improvement, 2= Needs some improvement, 3= Acceptable), how would you rate the conditions of the following in the Belle River Downtown BIA.
Sidewalks
1 7
2 33
3 38
Public Art
1 25
2 28
3 22
Street lighting
4
22
51
Parks/ Open Spaces
7
20
48
Bicycle Racks
19
36
18
4
25
48
20
32
28
Trees, Planters and Landscaping Historic Buildings
Street parking
16
36
21
Benches
7
30
42
Quality of Buildings
10
10
3
Garbage Cans
8
30
40
Parking Lots
23
30
25
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey Outside Cafes
17
31
32
Road conditions
16
Q 10. Optimist Park and Lakeside Park are located within the Belle River Downtown are, do you visit them Yes 33 No 31 Are There Improvements to the parks that you would like to see?
Optimist Park Public washrooms, xxx Benches, xx Gardens Looks great, xx All good Parking More tree planting More pathways Pool, xx
More shade Make a dog park to the far west of of park behind skateboard park Get rid of weeds at west playground Better garbage pick up during baseball season More lighting Not very appealing to many trees cut down More social events to all Bring back Halloween and church picnics
Lions Park More benched, xxxxx More trees/ shade, xxxx More Parking, xx Public washrooms year round Better flower arrangments aroung the park (lighting)
Pool Not Always kept up , xx Better garbage pick up during baseball season Looks dirty and uncared for
Lakeview Park More picnic tables, xxx Concession stand, xxxxx
Bathrooms and cement pad cleaned-garbage emptied so there aren't bees The future looks good for this park
Last Updated May 25, 2011
32
34
Water parks More activities for families Add more to it Expand splashpad, xx Waterfront pathways More trees Proper grading Buy more property and expand More shade
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey
Residents More BBQ's Much better but still could be more appealing More benches Charity vendors (Lions Club) More events Pool
Q.11 What are the top 3 priorities for improvements in the downtown Destroy all run down buildings, xx Street light-post office, 9th street Small dept. store eg. Giant Tiger, xxx Apartment buildings-not socially assisted Increased marketing for tourism Utilize marina (expand) Add accomodations/ hotel Diversification of goods and services Encourage more walking traffic More marketing, xxx Needs room for expansion of large scale development Need to improve marina/ water front to draw more people Promote what we have (lakefront, splashpark, businesses) Better stores (to expensive-drive to Windsor for better prices) Entertainment for adults Cobble stone sidewalks opposed to cement Nice lamposts that are lower with flower hanging baskets Marketing for tourists Road improvements, xxxx Retail and restaurants, xxx More sidewalks and improvements, xxxxxx Public entertainment involving local businesses Signage for parking
More businesses need to locate in town, More parking, xxxxxxx Retail and restaurants, xxx Not another pizza shop Bring library back to downtown core Swimming pool especially for exercise Pedestrian crossway - especially near post office Cosmetic appearance of buildings, xx Street parking longer than 2 hours Sidewalk snow removal ,xxx Approaching from east- traffic corners into town too fast Pedestrian crossway - especially near post office Prettier buildings on main street, xxx Walking trails Get rid of Tim Hortons Improve buildings, xxx More friendly to seniors Retail variety, xxxx Arts Less cops giving tickets for seatbelts, etc. Need sidewalks on both sides past shoppers and Notre Dame Restaurant in downtown core where business people can entertain clients More inviting/ people centred
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey More pedestrian traffic More established/ major eatery Slow traffic down on main street, xx Two more traffic lights to slow down speeders, xx Better communication as to how long it will take to complete constuction Create "destinations' theme restaurants, cafes, etc. Beutify street median, art benches, etc. Try to get people to shop in town rather than Windsor Continuity of buildings Nice family restaurant, xx More street parking Less trees on main street Employee parking is not acceptable on main street lower property taxes Streets cleaned with sweeper earlier in the day All curbs, sidewalks maintained or rebuilt for strollers and wheelchairs Restrictions of certain vehicles from parking in downtonw are while off duty ex. School bus drivers Widen roads if possible Increase residential homes Increased lighting Tim Horton's should be set up like Emeryville Main street has awful pavement Have angled parking on one side only, take out curbing in and out Extension to increase BIA boundaries Better pedestrian access & safety (crossings) Recycling containers along side garbages Less home businesses in residentail and brought into downtown
Speed limit should be decreased More police regulations Crosswalk at senior home Repair roads and sidewalks on Notre Dame St. Buy up residential houses and replace with commercial buildings Expand retail services four our residents More restaurants with possible outdoor cafes to create a distinct location A uniform look to all business fronts such as canopies and facades Have store hours the same -uniform close time Positive attitude from business owners with participation and getting involved More benches More bike racks Much better decorations for the seasons Have businesses work together to form ideas Extend business hours Improve itersectiong lights -better traffic flow Street lighting for businesses outside of town Health team center in center of town of Lakeshore Tear down Belle River tavern Community center and pool in Town Filling empty space Incentives for small businesses to do outdoor renovations instead of higher than normal permit costs Encourage commercial ventures that would employ local people Too many empty buildings Adding more traffice lights More trees along main street
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Q.12 Encourage more special events in downtown? Yes 60 No 10 No Opinion 14
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey
Q.13 Encourage more evening activities in the downtown? Yes 58 No 10 No Opinion 14 Q.14 Encourage new residential development in the downtown? Yes 30 No 33 No Opinion 16 Q. 15 Encourage residential accomodations above commercial space in the downtown? Yes 32 No 23 No Opinion 27 Q.16 Encourage more diversified commercial development in the downtown? Yes 67 No 4 No Opinion 9 Q. 17 Encourage large scale development in the expanded downtown area? Yes 43 No 21 No Opinion 14
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey Q. 18 Develop more parking lots within the BIA/ CIP area? Yes 47 No 13 No Opinion 17 Q.19 Add permanent cross walks in key locations Yes 59 No 8 No Opinion 15 Q.20 Add more sidewalks: Yes No No Opinion
34 18 20
Q.21 Please identify other actions you think would improve the downtown business environment There is no room for large scale development Speak to developers about building in town. The town of Lakeshore council should Enjoyed the French celebration/ Rendezvous, Sunplach etc. also encourage them to come Increase tourism Build on rum running history. There are 6 historical properties all connected to If you sell houses in town should be turned into commercial lots only this history. Capone has been to some of these buildings. The connection with Have not found that special events bring traffic into stores -seems to do the June Callwoods family and rum running is something all of Canada is aware of opposite - access to parking is restricted so regular costumers do not come It will be brought out again in her biography to be released next year. Belle River in and very few spectators come in. However I think special events are good was built on rum running money mainly thanks to James Cooper. CUB hosted a they bring life to downtown and exposure to businesses marketing specialist at Rochester Place who could not understand why the are had Small street signs all over Lakeshore to promote events not capitalized on this. Murals, the stories walking tours etc. This connection went More extensive promotion of goods and services we already have all the way to Quebec. Rum running is a great theme for restaurants, bars, special Update the rundown buildings events, its marketing . Make Belle River a destination Find incentives to have property owners try and restore their store fronts etc. Plant more trees down main street More activities for seniors-swimming pool for seniors Add more bike paths and walkways More holiday street decorations Promote Belle river to to encourage neighbouring communities to Town core too congested with vehicles-no parking come visit Get rid of Tim Horton's
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey Start buying up houses along the river to develop river walk/ shopping district unique to our area all the way down to the marina (houses turned into shops) and could have skating in the winter. A sidewalk with all to enjoy (along the river with benches and railings. Some year round shops , some seasonal shops, boutiques, Restaurants, cafes, (like many beach towns in Ontario like Grand Bend, Bayfield) A sunset platform to encourage great pictures. Give it a French theme. The Possibilites are endless. We commend you you in the beauty of the flower beds throughout the village (except your town hall property) The bed next (west) of your driveway is forgotten and could be a show place of colour. Establish a consistent theme which will not only attract but keep people in Belle River. We are a lakeside community however somehow a "little bit of French" was chose as our method of attracting residents, tourists, and new businesses. People are attracted to water and recreational actvities. Belle River has both and this should be the focus of our marketing efforts. More evening activities More family themed activities Less desertion of main street after 5:00 p.m We are hearing of the street closing at Tim Horton's. The Town needs to accommodate the rest of us with a parking facility to make up for the lost spots that were created 3 years ago (parallel parking on the street) Shut down all roadside businesses and stands that do not pay business tax so other stores that do can survive in their business Free local advertising for businesses. Bring in large scale businesses that we don’t have to go to Windsor e.g Zehrs, Walmart, Canadian Tire. Improve backroad sidewalks-make larger Small strip malls to encourage new businesses to come. When I was looking to rent space in spring of 2007 there was nothing suitable available. Stores open later Improve support of service oriented business Ashtrays thoughout the Town. Hard to do with so much street parking but better snow removal of sidewalks.
Improve Notre Dame, median street scaping, slowing down the vehicles travelling on Notre Dame St. More public parking on main street Local town advertising to shop local More support to the local merchants in Town More businesses so people stay in the town to shop. This could be achieved by easier access to parking, easily accessible information about the businesses. Things that are currently being done that need to continue are the quality of the sidewalks as well as the cleanliness of the streets and sidewalks. Do more yearly activities in the town Find more things for teens besides drugs & sex. They always complain to me that there is nothing to do in this town. Need more commercial buildings for businesses to move into Need more sidewalks going out of town to encourage walkers and bikers from farther downtown Town / BIA try to bring more people and businesses to town. More care show atmospheres. More ambassadors motorcycle/music outside using the whole street. More green space For a waterfront community the area looks very unappealing. There are no shops or restaurants with any appeal to interest anyone to come here. So sad other other communities have been able to so something but Belle River never catches on Get better gorcery stores! Do something with the Belle River Tavern! It's an eye sore Encourage the "look" of the town to be one that people would want to walk from one end to the other and shop. Not being so hard on small business owners that are trying to improve their look or building that only have the money for these upgrades and renovations instead of asking for unecessary surveys and permits that are no affordable. Trying to keep the business's that are hear instead of losing them after 1-2 years. Encourage or establish a useful purpose for the vacant building at the main intersection (former Belle River Tavern) Don't let the same business open more in town. Encourage artist, local wineries to set up retail outlets
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey The downtown sidewalks are patched, unsafem unsightly mess. Different type & More retail stores are needed in Beller River to make it more enticing for people to patchwork attempt. The businesses deserve & the shopper deserve clean, new, safe kepp their tax dollars in Lakeshore. Owners have to be responsible for the upkeep sidewalks accessible to all businesses and parking. This is a big issue. People do of their buildings! not want to stop and shop with unsightly and unsafe walking areas. Are we Training facility for many unemployed citizens from Belle River and Surrounding Lakeshore or Belle Rive, Emeryville, Puce, Woodslee, Stoney Point and all others? are. Make people more aware of the programs our community service offers. Or are we Lakeshore with these neighbourhood area all with historical parks and Repair more of the Sidewalks that need it. hopefully to great futures. I want to see this area thrive and be more successful. Manning Rd. is very busy and I realize the growth there will expand. But we need more businesses in the core down town Belle River. I really think capitalizing on our Lakeshore sign.Our Lakeview marina, parks, beautiful natural past. Both French and Irish started the area.
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey
Last Updated May 25, 2011
Town of Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan BIA Area Business Survey
Last Updated May 25, 2011
