For Immediate Release February 21, 2005

For More Information Contact: Rich Schneider, 317-278-4564 rcschnei@iupui.edu

Indianapolis Quality of Life Survey to be Discussed at Town Hall Meeting

INDIANAPOLIS - The results of a survey showing what Indianapolis residents think about the quality of their lives will be presented at a town hall meeting on March 11 at IUPUI.

The town hall meeting will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in the auditorium of University Library, 755 W. Michigan Street. The auditorium is located on the lower level of the library.

Among the findings of the survey, conducted over a six-week period last fall by a team of faculty and students from the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management's Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management, are:

* Twenty-three percent of respondents said they did not feel a sense of community with others in their neighborhoods, 27 percent said they didn't have an opinion, and 44 percent said they agreed or strongly agreed that they felt a sense of community with their neighbors.

When asked if they believed it was important to feel a part of their community, 58 percent of the respondents said yes.

* Downtown Indianapolis during the day was viewed as safe by an overwhelming margin, 81 percent of respondents. But when the sun goes down, those feelings change. Only 46 percent of respondents said downtown was a safe place to live, work, and socialize at night.

* A majority of respondents also expressed these views: trash or litter on the streets (52 percent see this as somewhat of a problem to a big problem), graffiti (44 percent see this as somewhat of a problem to a big problem), car theft (55 percent see this as somewhat of a problem to a big problem) , dangerous driving, including drunk driving and speeding (72 percent see this as somewhat of a problem to a big problem), traffic problems (62 percent see this as somewhat of a problem to a big problem), air pollution (53 percent see this as somewhat of a problem to a big problem), and insufficient green spaces (57 percent see this as somewhat of a problem to a big problem).

However, most respondents said Indianapolis, as a whole, was a beautiful, clean city with many attractions, cultural venues, and historical venues. ###