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By Melonie Magruder
Lookout Staff

November 11, 2011 -- Downtown Santa Monica officials have reason to be upbeat after a majority of the areas stakeholders, 59 percent, said they were “very optimistic” about the future, despite the pessimistic mood that has settled over the country.

The survey conducted earlier this year asked business owners and managers, and commercial and residential property owners to rate community characteristics, including overall appearance, cleanliness, availability of parking and the condition of the homeless.

“DTSM’s challenges over the next few years will be addressing serious issues related to circulation, access and parking in Downtown,” said DTSM CEO Kathleen Rawson.

“Managing a large number of public and private developments in cooperation with the city, including EXPO Light Rail, will be a top priority,” she added. “And, as we look to the future, we must continue to deliver top quality maintenance, Ambassador and marketing programs.”

The study, prepared by CIC Research, Inc., indicates that the overall positive rating of prescribed civic standards has improved–significantly in some areas–over a similar 2010 study.

Respondents rated as “much better” or “slightly better” Santa Monica’s overall image (70 percent vs. 53 percent in 2010), overall appearance (73 percent vs. 67 percent), cleanliness (72 percent vs. 69) and economic vitality (57 percent vs. 34 percent). Sixty-two percent thought parking structure maintenance was “much better” or “slightly better” (down from 70 percent last year), while safety dropped slightly from 53 percent in 2010 to 51 percent this year.

Fewer respondents felt two of Downtown’s key issues had worsened, with those who thought parking availability was “slightly worse” or “much worse” dropping from 50 percent in 2010 to 38 percent, and those who felt the transient and homeless situation had worsened down from 25 percent to 15 percent.

When it came to rating the services provided or supported by DTSM, 83 percent rated the Ambassador program as “very good” or “good” (a 13-point improvement over 2010). Similarly, other services showed decisive improvement, such as sidewalk cleaning (74 percent, up 12 points from a year ago); graffiti removal (74 percent, up 12 points); marketing and information (72 percent, up 9 points); litter removal (72 percent, up 17 points); and customer service (70 percent, up 12 points).

According to the study, the issues of greatest concern have not changed much. Listed in order of most cited were parking availability, homeless/transient issues, vehicular access and circulation, business attraction and retention, and safety.

But nearly six in ten respondents declared themselves “very” optimistic about the future of the Downtown Santa Monica area. An additional 33 percent are “somewhat” optimistic.”

There was reason to feel upbeat. Despite a recession-battered economy nationwide, Santa Monica’s hotel occupancy rates and room rates are up over last year, retail sales have jumped and city revenues have increased, allowing continued funding for homeless support and special projects, according to City officials.