Survey: College students want more downtown retail, services
College students in the Worcester area would apparently like to see the types of businesses in the downtown area that city officials hope will mark much of the landscape in a few years.
A survey conducted by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the city said the students would be interested in more retail and service-based businesses in the center of Worcester, with a mix of locally owned small businesses and nationally recognized restaurant chains.
The survey of more than 1,100 students was conducted from December to April, according to a statement from the chamber. In the survey, students cited their most significant downtown improvements: transportation and parking, safety and cleanliness and marketing of events to students at colleges in and around the city.
“This data is very helpful to us as we embark on our business recruitment efforts on behalf of the city,” Chamber President and CEO Timothy P. Murray said in the statement. “We know that our student population is well over 35,000 and generates more than $1.2 billion in economic impact annually for our region. The students’ opinions matter and will help to steer not only our economic development efforts but also our ability to retain students after graduation to want to live and work in the city.”
“With more students than ever attending classes and living in the downtown, it is critical that we anticipate and respond to the needs of the student population,” City Manager Edward Augustus added in the statement.
The downtown area has seen an increased college presence over the last few years with the entry and expansion of MCPHS University. And Quinsigamond Community College will house its urban campus for its allied health services and workforce training and employment programs at the former Telegram & Gazette building on Franklin Street.
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