Campus Master Space Plan Neighborhood survey Distributed: October 2015

Overview of neighbor responses 88 respondents (includes 6 landlords) Average time as resident: 16 years Neighborhood participation: Union Park District Council = 58 responses Macalester Groveland Community Council = 27 responses Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association = 3 responses

Neighborhood Preferences: options Campus Image and Architecture Landscaping On-Campus Student Housing Parking Safety (what do we mean by this?) Sustainability Traffic

Neighbors’ No. 1 Priority: On-Campus Housing 45 of 88 respondents named this their top priority No. 2: 7 people No. 3: 8 people TOTAL: 60 people

Neighbors’ No. 1 Priority: On-Campus Housing “Create a mixed-use student village with some decent density to consolidate student housing but also create neighborhood retail.”

Neighbors’ No. 2 priority: Parking 32 of 88 respondents named this their second priority No. 1: 5 people No. 3: 15 people TOTAL: 52 people

Neighbors’ No. 2 Priority: Parking “Nothing is wrong with leaving the northwest corner of Grand and Cleveland as it is.”

Neighbors’ No. 3 Priority: Safety 18 of 88 respondents named this their third priority No. 1: 19 people No. 2: 14 people TOTAL: 51 people

Neighbors’ No. 3 Priority: Safety “Our kids see students when they’re partying and making noise. They see police cars show up with lights flashing. This make them feel unsafe.”

What does safety mean? 33 respondents made safety either their first or second priority. Safety was a primary or secondary concern for all but one landlord who responded.

Bill Carter: What does safety mean?

What does safety mean? Walkability across Cretin without being (nearly) hit by a car or, as a driver, having pedestrians cross the street against the light or in the middle of a block. The students drive way too fast down Selby Avenue. I’d love to see some speed bumps. Safety for me is mainly crime. [Perpetrators] see students as easy targets with electronics and cash.

Why does safety mean? Many drivers treat the alleys as streets. I am constantly concerned that my child or dog will be hit by one of these vehicles. Safety is why I like living here: I feel safe in my neighborhood! It would be nice if neighbors could sign up for text alerts through your emergency alert system.

Focus on Sustainability

No. 2 priority for St. Thomas faculty and staff, and for St. Thomas students, both weighted and actual. For neighbors, out of 88 responses: -5 ranked sustainability as No. 1 priority -6 ranked sustainability as No. 2 priority -9 ranked sustainability as No. 3 priority

Focus on Sustainability “Follow the lead of your students: Stop spraying, and incorporate plants on campus that will not require chemicals.”

One University, One Neighborhood

The Last Word: UPDC Neighbor “Create attractive and affordable on-campus housing (and policies) that reduce student-rental stress on the neighborhood.”

The Last Word: Landlord and Young Alumnus “I’m not saying these kids are perfect. But they have just as much right to live in the area as anyone else.”

The Last Word: MGCC Neighbor “Please consider the assets that a safe and beautiful neighborhood bring to students and their families when they’re visiting.”

The Last Word: Thank You, Neighbors