This document summarizes the results of a survey of over 3,300 residents in East Baton Rouge Parish about their priorities and vision for the future of the parish. Key findings include that respondents prioritized improving the economy and revitalizing downtown neighborhoods. A majority said they would support public transit and connecting the parish to other areas by rail. Respondents also favored preserving wetlands and open spaces over constructing new roads. The survey provides insight into residents' preferences to guide planning decisions for the parish.

1. A Vision for
East Baton Rouge
g
Survey Results - January, 2011

2. Survey – Over 3,300 Responses

3. EBR S
Survey R
Results
lt

4. About the Survey
3,368 paper and online responses
– Distributed online, in libraries, to interested groups
54% female / 46% male
Race/Ethnicity Breakdown
– 79% White
– 17% African-American
– 2% Hispanic
– 1% Asian
– However: 20% of respondents skipped question
Age Breakdown
– 33% under 35
d
– 38% between 35 and 54
– 29% over 55

5. Most Important Transportation
Investments
I t t
% of People who ranked “very important” or “important”
Widen existing roads 53%
Build a rail/streetcar transit system 43%
Build new roads or freeways 44%
Improve biking and pedestrian paths
p g p p 37%
Improve or expand the bus system 34%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

6. Would you use a high-quality,
reliable public transit system?
Don't
Know,
16%
Yes,
No, 59
59%
25%
%
Q: If you had convenient access to a high-
quality, reliable public t
lit li bl bli transit system, similar t
it t i il to
ones found in other cities our size, would you
use it instead of driving your car to work,
school, or shopping?

7. Do you think it is important to connect
East Baton Rouge to other areas in the
g
state with a regional transit system, like a
regional rail system?
Don't
Know,
7%
No, 17%
Yes,
77%

8. Would you consider living in an apartment or
condominium if you could walk or ride your bike
to work, school, shopping or the park?
, , pp g p
Don't
Know,
K
8%
Yes,
No,
No 47%
%
46%

9. Is a house with a big yard important to
you even if it means having to drive
more?
Don't
Know,
6%
No, Y
N Yes,
46% 48%

10. Where would you most like to live?
100%
80%
60% 56%
40%
20%
20% 15%
9%
0%
New, Existing, Townhome or Condo or
single-family single-family apartment, apartment, in the
subdivision neighborhood on a main street city’s core
or revitalized neighborhoods
neighborhood

11. Priorities for East Baton Rouge
% of People who ranked each priority 1st or 2nd
Safety of neighborhoods 83%
Quality of schools 62%
Affordability of housing 19%
Choice of housing 16%
1st Priority
Quality of homes 15%
2nd Priority
Access to jobs 7%
Access to shopping 5%
Quality of parks 2%
0% 50% 100%
11

12. For East Baton Rouge to thrive as a
whole, do you think it’s important for
, y p
downtown to thrive?
Don't
D 't
Know,
5.7%
No,
o,
16.2%
Yes,
78.1%
78 1%
12

13. In what neighborhood do you
most want t see redevelopment
t t to d l t
occur?
Mid City 24%
Downtown 22%
South Baton Rouge 8%
Everything 7%
North Baton Rouge 6%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

14. EBR’s economic development
strategy should be
st ateg sho ld be…
Growing local business 35%
Bringing new industry to town 29%
Providing tax incentives to
17%
businesses that create new jobs
Attracting outside investors 10%
Other (please list) 9%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

15. EBR’s economic development
strategy should be…
h ld b
Downtown or core neighborhood 36%
University District 19%
Suburban retail/office development 15%
Main street or urban corridor 15%
Industrial/office park 9%
Medical District 6%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

16. Would you support strategies to preserve wetlands,
other natural areas and open space in the Parish
such as voluntary land acquisition programs to limit
development?
Don't
D 't
Know,
10.9%
No,,
16.2%
Yes,
78.9%

17. Top Comprehensive Plan Priorities
Average
Score % Top
(1=highest Priority
priority)
Improving the economy 3.4 34%
Revitalize core neighborhoods
g
4.3 13%
%
around downtown
Encouraging redevelopment
4.3 10%
in blighted areas
Creating walkable neighborhoods 4.8 11%

18. Lower Scoring Comprehensive Plan
Priorities
P io ities
Average
Score % Top
(1=highest Priority
priority)
Making quality housing more accessible 5.2 5%
Developing
D l i a regional t
i l transit system
it t 5.2
52 10%
Protecting natural lands, like wetlands,
5.3
53 8%
floodplains, and open space
Constructing new roads and freeways 5.7 11%
Creating a network of bikeways and
5.9 6%
trails

19. www.FUTUREBR.com

20. A Vision for
East Baton Rouge
g
January, 2011