Tracy Press

 
Tracy resident Jane McNamara has chosen Tracy's downtown as the topic for her masters thesis, and she will ask residents all about it.

Downtown Tracy. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

Jane McNamara is set to earn her Executive Masters of Business Administration degree through California State University, Stanislaus. She chose downtown Tracy as the subject for her masters thesis.

Residents citywide should get a 23-point questionnaire with their utility bills sometime this month, she said.

The survey asks residents what they think of the hours kept by downtown business owners, what they think of the types of businesses and whether they feel safe when they stroll along 10^th Street or Central Avenue, among other questions.

Jane McNamara / Tracy Press file photo

McNamara, an academic outreach coordinator at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, will use the results in a more comprehensive study of downtown Tracy, which she’ll finish by early November.

She chose the area bordered by Sixth and 11^th and D to A streets as the focus of her study, because she used to own a business in the district — a canine boutique called the Greytful Dog.

She was also a member of the Downtown Tracy Business Improvement Association and still owns a house downtown.

Downtown Tracy. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

The city posted a link on its Web site so people can take the survey online, too.

In the meantime, and well into next year, the city will continue to work with a consultant to work out some practical changes for downtown, like shifting tax responsibilities from business to property owners.

• For information: McNamara, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• To take the surey online, visit http://www.ci.tracy.ca.us/survey/downtown.

• To reach a Tracy Press reporter or editor, call 835-3030 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 05, 2008

"It’s just that so many people are saying (that) everyone’s asking what business owners want, but no one’s asking what the rest of the public wants,” McNamara said of the impetus for her project. “I want people to know that someone is asking.”

Its something that the business owners should have done. Perhaps the DTBIA and potential, new, downtown businesses will be able to use the information to improve their business plans?

I hope so. We've seen them come and seen them go. It makes sense to know your market - before you spend the money on an idea. Doesn't the bank require a business plan from these downtown businesses?

People just want a 'peaceful' downtown. If we want to spend money, we've already got the mall.

Thanks!!!

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written by Observer , September 05, 2008

Hope people will go to one of my favorite store when I was in Tracy... go to "Greytful Dog" and get her fabulous home made buscuits for your pets. My dog loved the peanut butter kind! You will see her beautiful greyhound dog in her shop, so docile and friendly!!!

Go rediscover your downtown by strolling and see what is there.. and see what needs to be there, bring it back and include it in the comment section.

Sure would like to see more organic stores in Tracy. Organically fed meat, poultry, chemical free treated vegetables and fruits. Organic cotton clothing, or bamboo clothing, linen... go stores that sells chemical/toxic free items! Go Green!

Here in Oregon, where I live, I just love the "atmosphere" inside the shops AND OUTSIDE THE SHOPS! Hope to see similar plans happen in Tracy!
Good luck Tracyites.

-amy

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written by Observer , September 05, 2008

Before I forget, I want to compliment on the banners shown outside the shops, so quaint like they have here!!! Keep them looking fresh, too. I saw a person who removed sun faded banner and replaced it with fresh one, made the shop look sharp!

-amy

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written by Danny Hobbs , September 05, 2008

Observer/Amy,

Just come back to Tracy, You really do miss it.

OR

get a life in Oregon!

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written by Observer , September 05, 2008

All in good time, impatient Danny Hobbs!

Hope Tracy Press matches the registration with true person... Dan Hobbs, the user name? I don't believe the real Dan Hobbs would even address to anyone like that!

It took me a while to get used to Tracy, same here, all in good time!

Good luck on your thesis, Jane MacNamara, sorry you had to see that!

-amy