Planning 2011-04-28 Item 4 - Attachment C: Issues and Opportunities Report

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STAKEHOLDER SURVEY RESPONSES Survey Process To gain background data for its review of the Manufacturing/ Industrial Center, as well as a way to involve business stakeholders, the Department of Community Development conducted a survey of businesses in the MIC. The purpose of the survey was to gain information about concerns of businesses, identify pressures that industrial businesses are facing, and to ask for feedback regarding the City of Tukwila's policies, especially industrial land use. Tukwila sent postcards to 200 tenants and property owners in the MIC, inviting them to participate in an online survey to determine which issues were important to them. Tukwila staff also sent personal letters to approximately 15 businesses, asking them to participate in a more detailed survey, either on the phone or in- person, depending on individual preference. Extensive follow up phone calling occurred to secure business participation. As a result of significant outreach efforts, Tukwila staff conducted interviews either in person or by phone or, in one case via email, with 20 businesses located in the MIC. Four responses were received to the shorter website surveys. As a result, a total of 23 businesses and one resident provided comments regarding the MIC out of a total of approximately 130 in the entire area. Staff prepared a 17 question survey which included both short answer and open -ended questions aimed at specific information, and a range of responses. It is based on surveys prepared by the City of Seattle in 2007. For most of the short answer questions, results were readily summarized. In the case of the open -ended questions categories were created, results were summarized and displayed based on common themes that the businesses expressed. The survey results provide important information and raise interesting questions about Tukwila businesses in the MIC. However, conclusions drawn from the results should be considered primarily as a snapshot of selected businesses, rather than indicating trends. The sampling method was not intended to be, and is not, statistically valid. A summary of all results is included as Attachment A. The tabulated survey with all comments is Attachment B. Summary of Key Findinqs Businesses value Tukwila's central location: Businesses place a high value on their Location in Tukwila's Manufacturing/ Industrial Center for its access to major transportation corridors, customers and suppliers. Tukwila's central location provides excellent access to Seattle, the east side, Western Washington and Alaska. Access is the key benefit to a Tukwila location: The outstanding benefit to a having a Tukwila industrial location is_access. Throughout the survey the importance of Tukwila's good access and central location was mentioned. Some ways that access is considered notable includes the following: Access to the highway system, including 1 -5 and Highway 599, primarily for getting onto the regional transportation network for reaching markets outside of the immediate area. W: \Long Range Projects \MIC Study\ Issues &Opps \MIC Logo \Issues &OppsReport.doc Page 3