2005/06/15 Council Agenda Packet

INTERVIEW FINDINGS Previous secondary effects studies have combined survey research and anecdotal reports from community and business interests. Our study did so as well. A total of 54 interviews were conducted between November, 1993, and March, 1994. Three different interview questionnaires were employed: one designed for property. owners and business operators, a second intended -for local organizations, churches, and schools, and the third for Community Board representatives. . In general,_we sought to obtain information on perceptions and experience of the impact in the -Mmes Square area of adult entertainment, establishments. More specifically, we tried to elicit detailed observations of the effects of these enterprises on business and daily.life..We also attempted to obtain information on the effects of these Ibsinesses in.geographic terms, i.e.;. the; proximity and,distance of.adult'use establishments and the resulting inter►sity and/or. diminution of. impacts. To provide context, we asked all respondents about their views of what constituted the major problems facing the Times Square area, and the relative importance of pornography. and adult use businesses among these problems. The open-ended conversations that followed completion of the formal interview schedule were.often most productive. Where possible, the interview results are presented below as quantified measures but in addition, many valuable insights emerge from interview material that is not easily quantified. Property and Business Owners Real Estate Owners, Managers, .and Corporate Leaders_ Our twelve -interview sample in this important category included five of the largest real estate companies or management agencies in the city, with multiple holdings in -Times Square and elsewhere. We interviewed one appraiser familiar with the Times Square area, one owner of residential property,_and one leasing agent. In addition, we spoke with executives of two important publishing and communications corporate groups. Most of these respondents have been part of the Times Square scene for _ decades, and some are relatively recent arrivals. They are all aware of Times Square's history, in all its ups and downs, and some have played roles in this history. Their observations and expertise, however, are focused on the growth of Times Square as a unique conglomerate of entertainment uses, commercial tenants, tourist attractions, and, increasingly, a home for financial and multi -national corporations. EVER00223 37