Montgomery Drainage District 2007 Questionnaire Findings Report

Montgomery Drainage District 2007 Questionnaire

Findings Report

Submitted to: CVP Project Partners

Produced by:

Marisa A. Rinkus Graduate Student

Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife Michigan State University

August 2008

Created by Marisa Rinkus, MSU 2

CVP Montgomery Drain Study – 2007

Objectives & Methodology Objective 1: Assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among users of the three common use areas within the drainage district: the Frandor Shopping Center, the Red Cedar River Walk and River, and the Red Cedar Golf Course. Objective 2: Identify the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding water quality, alternative storm water practices (rain gardens and constructed wetlands), and storm water runoff. Objective 3: Assess public support and attitudes toward financial responsibility for the possible retrofit of the Frandor Shopping Center and/or Red Cedar Golf Course. Methods: A structured questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, observations, and digital photography were utilized to meet the objectives above. The data collected from the observations and digital photographs was used to substantiate participant responses in the questionnaire and interview results and are not directly reported here.

The questionnaire, comprised of open-ended and fixed-choice questions, was administered interview style in the four major use areas of the study area: the golf course (N=67), shopping center (N=124), river walk (N=61), and residential neighborhoods (N=118). The questionnaire was divided into five sections, with a section targeting each of the three major use areas, a section addressing the proposed change for the area and a final section for demographic information. For the golf course, shopping center and river walk, questionnaires were administered two to four days per week (weather permitting) during two to four-hour time blocks each day. Days and times were selected to represent the various uses of the study area, with each day of week and time slot being covered at least once for each location. Passers-by in the above locations were approached by the interviewer with a brief explanation of the research project followed by a request to participate. The canvass of surrounding neighborhoods was also conducted with the help of volunteers on four separate occasions during two-hour time blocks (one weekend afternoon, one weekday afternoon, and two weekday evenings). Participants were presented with a one-page consent form outlining the study, their rights as a participant, and contact information in case they had any concerns as recommended by Michigan State University IRB regulations, along with a 2-sided handout concerning storm water pollution prevention and website addresses to locate more information. With the help of volunteers, responses from 370 participants were collected between late June and early October 2007 with the overall results having a precision of +/- 5.09% at the 95% level of confidence.

Interviews of shopping center business owners (N=6) and managers (N=3), municipal officials (N=3), an engineering consultant (N=1), community leaders (N=3), and a local NGO representative (N=1) were also conducted during this same time period. Participants were selected based on a stakeholder analysis conducted by reviewing local reports and meeting documents, informal discussion with project partners, and phone conversations with key individuals who have historically been involved in storm water management projects in the Greater Lansing area. Because of the large number of businesses in the Frandor area, a simple stratified random sample was used to select interview participants. Sub groups of businesses were established based on length of time at locale (years) and the characteristic of locally or nationally owned (chain), the businesses were then numbered in a list and selected using a random number chart.


Results Summary

Interview and questionnaire participants agreed that the Frandor Shopping Center offers convenience by way of its central location, variety of stores and restaurants, and ample parking. However, a majority of respondents also felt that it could be updated or enhanced by adding green space, making it more pedestrian friendly, and improving the traffic patterns and parking layout. The parking lot was mentioned as what was liked least about the shopping center, as well as what could be done to improve the center.

Drainage however was not an issue of concern in the shopping center among the public, and only of moderate concern with business owners and managers. In contrast, drainage was a prominent issue for golf course users. Despite recognition of drainage problems on the course, nearly equal proportions of golf course users felt that the golf course did not need to be improved (26.7%) as those who wanted the drainage issues addressed (33.3%). This is most likely due to the political controversy surrounding the municipal golf courses in the City of Lansing. It is my belief, based on observations and discussions with people at the golf course, that the proposed BMP project was interpreted as another attempt at closing the golf course and therefore any change was perceived as negative or a threat. Perception of the river was generally poor, however attitudes towards the river walk were more positive – especially by those who use the river walk for recreation or commuting. Poor perception of the river appears to be heavily influenced by appearance of the water’s color and clarity, which doesn’t curtail recreational activities on the river walk but discourages other activities by both current users and non-users. The connection between perceptions of water quality and attitudes towards the river should be considered when communicating with the public regarding the proposed storm water retrofit. The public needs to understand that the biology of the river may never allow it to exhibit clear blue-green water and that the effectiveness of the BMP cannot be measured solely by changes in color and clarity. An overwhelming majority of respondents were in favor of reconstruction as a means of pollution prevention (80%), and specifically for the use of a BMP in the area (88%) in spite of only half of all respondents having some knowledge or familiarity with such technologies. Elevated levels of concern or interest in the environment are not uncommon in university towns where the level of education is more likely to be higher than the average. Beyond public support for a storm water BMP, interviews provided further insight into the perceived benefits. The public’s attention in the questionnaire was primarily focused on water quality and aesthetic aspects, but interview participants such as business owners, community leaders, and municipal officials conceived of multiple benefits emanating from such a project. Their support appeared more motivated by the possibilities the project presented for the larger community, both short and long-term, rather than purely aesthetic or environmental reasons. Based on the profile of respondents who indicated they would not be supportive of reconstruction or a BMP such as a rain garden or constructed wetland, it seems probable that at least half of these respondents were swayed primarily by the possible impact of the project on the future of the golf course. In addition to individual self-interest related to recreational opportunities, gender and age may have also been a factor in responses among golf course users and non-users. Lack of knowledge regarding the design and cost of the proposed storm water BMP also cannot be ruled out as reasoning for not supporting such an effort.


Finally, attitudes towards financial responsibility were fairly consistent in that very few stakeholders considered themselves financially responsible for a storm water retrofit in the area. Although 68% felt that local residents should pay for a portion of the cost, they also identified government entities (city, township, county, state, and federal) and the property owners (Frandor Shopping Center and Red Cedar Golf Course) as those who should bear the bulk of the financial burden. Since the economy always factors heavily in nearly every issue, along with the current poor state of the economy in Michigan, this response was not unexpected. Conclusions

Both questionnaire and interview data revealed that while the majority of stakeholders are in favor of the environmental and aesthetic benefits to innovative BMPs, the perceived barriers of cost and time may impede their widespread use in the mid-Michigan region. From a technical standpoint, the uncertainty involved in the design, application, and maintenance can also present an additional hurdle that will only be overcome by training and experimentation in real world situations. The proposed storm water retrofit does offer such an opportunity, especially with the strong attitudes towards improvement to the aesthetics of the area and water quality displayed in the questionnaire results. However decision-makers should take the time to understand and address stakeholder concerns through public participation that encourages shared learning and responsibility. Recommendations - Montgomery Drain Storm Water Retrofit

Communication strategies aiming to garner support for the project should engage the community in developing a vision for the area that encourages a broad sense of ownership of the project. Because storm water management is an increasing cost to municipalities and residents, public outreach surrounding the proposed retrofit should include information about cost and financing, not just the detrimental effects of non-point source pollution and the environmental and aesthetic benefits of BMPs. This is an opportunity to increase awareness of storm water management and financing, clarify government and community responsibilities, and communicate the long-term benefits to the community.

Furthermore, community members, in addition to those that own property within the drainage district, should be involved in the decision-making process. Business owners who lease commercial/retail space in the shopping center or surrounding area in particular should be consulted since they have the potential to be the most negatively affected (and inconvenienced) in the short-term. Every effort should be made to address their concerns.

Finally, attitudes towards the Mayor of Lansing and the Ingham County Drain Commissioner appeared to influence support for the project among some members of the community. Because both of these officials will be implicitly involved in any proposed storm water retrofit within their jurisdictions it would be impossible to remove their presence. However, establishing a diverse coalition of organizations in support of this issue might help to bridge the political and ideological divides.


Major Findings - Questionnaire Attitudes toward Drainage District Use Areas Golf Course (pp. 6 - 7)

Of the 129 people who said they currently used or have used the Red Cedar Golf Course, 82 (65%) reported having noticed drainage issues on the course with 37% noting general flooding or standing water either during spring or after rain events and the other half indicating frequent drainage issues occurring on or around hole #2 (37.3%).

When asked what changes could be made to improve the Red Cedar Golf Course, 33.3% said

address drainage issues, 28.6% better general maintenance, 26.7% said don’t change – just keep open, and 8.6% redesign and expand.

Frandor (pp. 9 - 13)

Convenience (48.9%), stores (32%), and restaurants (11.7%) were most frequently listed as what people liked about the Frandor Shopping Center, while traffic and parking (45.2%), lack of trees & aesthetics (10.8%), and lack of quality & variety of stores (8.4%) were listed as what people liked least. However, 25.1% of respondents said there was nothing they liked least and 3.1% said they didn’t like it all.

When asked what could be done to improve the Frandor parking lot and shopping center area,

26.7% of respondents noted the addition of green space before asked directly whether or not they think there should be more green space in Frandor. When asked directly, 277 (76%) responded yes, 13% no, 6% didn’t care, and 5% maybe.

18.5% of respondents felt that Frandor is fine the way it is and didn’t need any improvements,

however others felt improvements could be made to the parking lot traffic patterns and layout (17.3%), made more pedestrian friendly (9.4%), and be completely remodeled (8.2%) – among others (see graph on page 6).

Drainages issues in Frandor were not highly recognized by respondents, with only 19%

having ever noticed any water related issues in the parking lot or shopping center area. This response rate may have been affected by the season in which the questionnaire was administered since it happened to be a dry summer or by respondents’ inability to remember a past event. Of the 65 respondents that were aware of drainage issues in the shopping center, 38.3% noted puddles near Tripper’s and the bank, 16% standing water in low spots or middle of parking lot, 13.6% noted that flooding and sewer overflows from drains were common, 12.3% as a result of snow melt, 11.1% in the past but not recently, and 8.6% in the spring after heavy rains.

Red Cedar River and River Walk (pp. 7 - 8)

Close to half (45.4% or 154) of all respondents’ impressions of the river were that it is dirty and/or has a bad odor, 23.6% (80) said they liked it, 8.8% (30) said it was okay and 25.7% (95) had no impression or opinion of the Red Cedar River or River Walk.


Perception of Red Cedar River Water Quality (pp. 14 - 16) 56.7% (149/263) of respondents rated water quality as poor, while 35.4% (93) rated it as

average or fair and only 8% (21) rated the water quality as good. Perception of water quality is primarily based on appearance (color and clarity) with

56.3% of respondents noting the murkiness or brown color as the reason they believe the water quality is poor. 16.9% simply believed it was poor or assumed so based on the fact that it is an urban river (not ‘up north’), 15.7% based their perception on comparisons to other rivers in northern Michigan or other states that they are familiar with, 9.2% had heard or read that it was polluted in the media or from friends (MSU lore), 1.9% perceived the water quality to be poor since it was not treated or purified.

Public Support for and knowledge of Rain Gardens or Constructed Wetlands (pp. 17 - 18)

When asked if they would be supportive (non-specified support) of reconstructive efforts (non-specified project) in the golf course or shopping center that would help improve water quality in the Red Cedar River, 79.4% (294) of respondents said ‘yes’ they would be supportive.

About half (52.4%) of all people surveyed were familiar with rain gardens and constructed

wetlands either through local projects, education programs, their work, or other locations they have lived.

Asked if they would like to see something like a rain garden or constructed wetland in the

shopping center or golf course, 88.2% (323) said yes – many with qualifying statements regarding cost, feasibility, placement (golf course or shopping center – not both), and necessity.

Attitudes toward Financial Responsibility for Project (pp.18 - 19)

When asked who should be responsible for paying for any reconstructive efforts 23.5% (129) respondents named the city or township, 17.2% (94) taxpayers or citizens by millage, vote or existing taxes, 13.5% (74) named the Frandor/property owners, 13% (71) Frandor businesses, and others (see chart on page 18 for all responses).

60.8% (225) felt that local residents should pay a portion of any reconstructive efforts –

many added a number of qualifiers such as: only local residents who want to or by donation, by vote or millage, only if local residents can give input to proposed plan, through existing taxes, only those who shop there, or would have to anyway through tax increase or increased prices at the stores.


Charts & Tables Demographics of Respondents

Total

Respondents Male

Female

Min Age

Max Age

Mean Age

Area of Residence

N=370

53.2%

45.4%

18

86

43

Lansing 64.9%

East Lansing 14.1% **In terms of residence of respondents, the remainder consisted of cities and townships in the Greater Lansing and Mid-Michigan area including: DeWitt, Okemos, Haslett, Holt, Mason, Charlotte, Grand Ledge, St. John, Williamston, Laingsburg, Fowlerville, Dansville, Howell and Mt. Pleasant. Less than 1% was from areas outside the Mid-Michigan area (Detroit area) or state of Michigan. Occupation

Respondents listed a diverse array of occupations, with only ‘retired’ consisting of more than 10% of the total sample (13.5%). Others include: students (10.8%), professors (3.2%), store managers (3.2%), teachers (2.7%), homemakers (2.7%), government (2.2%), graduate/law student (2.2%), and unemployed (2.2%).

Age of Respondents


Respondents by Location of Questionnaire Administration This figure represents the demographics of respondents based on where the questionnaire was administered, and does not represent ‘users’ of the areas. For example, 124 responses were collected at the Frandor Shopping Center but nearly all respondents indicated having used the Frandor Shopping Center. Subsequent charts will exhibit the demographics of the users of the three main locations (Frandor Shopping Center, Red Cedar Golf Course, and Red Cedar River Walk). Certain questions were only asked of those who indicated they use or had used these areas, or in the case of the Red Cedar River, were familiar with the area. Therefore, not all questions were applicable to all respondents.

Frandor N=124

Golf Course N=67

River Walk N=61

Residents N=118

% Male 43.8% 74.6% 59% 49.6%

% Female 56.3% 25.4% 41% 50.4%

Min Age 18 18 19 18

Max Age 72 86 72 82

Mean Age 44 51 41 39

Area of Residence

Lansing 49% East Lansing 22%

Lansing 61.2% East Lansing 19.4%

Lansing 41% East Lansing 14.8%

Lansing 96.6% East Lansing 3.4%

**312 Questionnaires were completed with 370 respondents as a result of multiple persons responding to a single questionnaire (completed questionnaires by location: Frandor - 101, Golf Course - 58, River Walk - 43, & Neighborhood Canvass – 110) *8 questionnaires were discarded because they were incomplete or invalid due to the age of the respondent.


Red Cedar Golf Course

% of Golf Course Users

Total Respondents

Male

Female

Min Age

Max Age

Mean Age

Area of Residence

39.4%

(N= 129)

69.5%

30.5%

18

86

49

Lansing 65.1%

East Lansing13.2%

Only questionnaire respondents who reported using the Red Cedar Golf Course were asked the following questions related to golf course use, drainage, and improvements.


While hole #2 was mentioned more frequently, nearly all holes were named acknowledging a general drainage problem on the entire course. Because the summer of 2007 was fairly dry there were a small percentage of respondents (3.2%) that thought there needed to be more water on the course to keep the greens, green.


Frandor Shopping Center

% Frandor Users of

Total Respondents

Male

Female

Min Age

Max Age

Mean Age

Area of Residence

97%

N= 359

53.4%

46.6%

18

86

41

Lansing 65.5%

East Lansing14.2% *Frandor users comprised 97% of the total sample resulting in little to no variation in response frequencies between Frandor users and the total sample.


Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding Frandor Shopping Center (of total sample) When respondents were asked for their general impressions of the Frandor Shopping Center responses varied in detail and contradictory at times. While I have listed this information below, the questions that followed provided much more specific information which is exhibited in the following charts.

29.1% (134) of respondents had a good impression of Frandor, while 10.2% (47) felt it is was ugly, dirty and needed an update, 13% (60) thought that the traffic flow and parking were dangerous to cars and pedestrians, and 2.8% (13) felt it needed more green space and that there was too much pavement.

12.2% (56) felt it was convenient, 2.2% (10) average, 4.3% (20) liked it better when it was

enclosed, 2.8% (13) stated that it had been there forever and was old

15.9% (73) felt it needed better stores and more variety of stores, while 7.4% (34) felt it had a nice variety of shops

** 3.1% (13) of respondents stated that they didn’t like Frandor and therefore there was nothing they liked most.


**Attitudes regarding the aesthetics of Frandor were almost evenly divided. 39% had feelings that ranged from ‘ugly, dirty and congested’ to ‘needs work and could be nicer’, 23% were ambivalent about the aesthetics, and the remaining 38% felt it was okay or good. The phrasing of this question may have affected responses. Further questioning to understand what respondents felt good or bad ‘aesthetics’ were comprised of would have to be conducted in order to better understand these responses.


Suggestions for Frandor Improvements

Attitudes Regarding Green Space in Frandor

“Would work, but would limit parking at Christmas time.” (Business Manager) “I’m all for green space except when I have to pay for it.” (Business Owner) “It's still a shopping center, it's too much pavement that's for sure, we need to have a little bit more green space there to help the aesthetic look to it and if it helps in our storm water runoff than that's great too.” (Community Leader) When asked directly if they felt there should be more green space in the Frandor parking lot or shopping center area, 277 people responded yes.


Awareness of Drainage Issues in Frandor


Red Cedar River Walk

% of River Walk Users

of Total Respondents

Male

Female

Min Age

Max Age

Mean Age

Area of Residence

61%

N= 226

53.8%

46.2%

18

77

39

Lansing 63.7%

East Lansing15% Only questionnaire respondents that reported using or having used the Red Cedar River or River Walk were asked about the frequency and type of use. Other questions related to the river or river walk were asked of all respondents unless they were completely unfamiliar with the river or river walk.


Perceptions of Water Quality and Attitudes toward the Red Cedar River & River Walk

Example Responses from Interview Participants “I find it depressing…it needs to be cleaned up.” (Community Leader) “Pretty but filthy.” (Business Owner) “Well first of all I think it's a lot cleaner than its perception, I have a lot of trust in [the experts] and if [they] tell me the Red Cedar is a lot cleaner than it's been in 50 years than I believe [them].” (Municipal Official)

56.7% (149/263) of respondents rated water quality as poor, while 35.4% (93) rated it as average or fair and only 8% (21) rated the water quality as good.


**Perception of water quality based primarily on the river’s appearance – color & clarity. Knowledge of Water Pollution


Knowledge of Storm Water Discharges – Storm Drains (of total sample) **The placement of this question may have biased the responses for some respondents, although they were not given any information about storm water until after this question some may have felt that the previous questions regarding water quality in the river was leading. However, 19% still had no idea and didn’t even guess.


Support for Reconstruction for Water Quality Improvements (of total sample)

Would you be supportive of reconstructive efforts in the golf course or shopping center that would help improve water quality in the Red Cedar River? **Type of support or type of reconstruction not specified.

Example Responses from Interview Participants

“If constructing something new - would provide for drainage and understand that responsibility but it is unreasonable and unfair to ask something to be done now. The North end of Ranney Park was originally designed to be a retention pond - should revisit this proposal instead of retrofit plan.” (Business Owner)

“Construction would screw business up and effect customers, look at all the construction downtown, they start one thing one year and then start something else the next year – should do

it all at once so as to not continually disrupt business, I don't know how any of those businesses managed, we live on short term business - we live day to day just trying to get 6-8 new customers a day, need to take into consideration the effect on small businesses” (Business Owner)

“…just see positives from a project like this, if more aesthetically pleasing people would want to shop more…” (Business Owner)


Knowledge of and Support for Rain Gardens & Constructed Wetlands (of total sample)

About half (194) of all people surveyed were familiar with rain gardens and constructed wetlands either through local projects, education programs, their work, or other locations they have lived.

323 people said yes – many with qualifying statements regarding cost, feasibility, placement (golf course or shopping center – not both), and necessity.


Attitudes toward Financial Responsibility for BMP Proposed Project (of total sample)

*8.1% (30) said they didn’t know

Example Responses from Interview Participants

“If they can find a way to do it that doesn't increase taxes and uses the money already there fine - tough choices will have to be made, but some services offered are more personal responsibility than county” (Business Owner)

“…as long as they took the needs and costs of the landlord into the situation – also businesses should be involved and informed…” (Business Owner) “Would depend on whose responsibility to pay for it was - as a business owner can't differentiate between financial and other concerns. Construction will be disruptive to business – people change their shopping patterns over 6 months time - leading to loss of business in the long term as well as short term (even big box stores would suffer).”


**225 respondents felt that local residents should pay a portion of any reconstructive efforts – many adding a number of qualifiers such as: only local residents who want to or by donation, by vote or millage, only if local residents can give input to proposed plan, through existing taxes, only those who shop there, or would have to anyway through tax increase or increased prices at the stores.

Montgomery Drainage District 2007 Questionnaire Findings Report

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