Flatiron NoMad Partnership Releases Annual Community Survey Results

(New York, N.Y.) – The Flatiron NoMad Partnership has released the results of its annual community survey, revealing the views of residents, employees, visitors, students, and business and property owners on issues impacting the district and how they experience it. This year’s survey, conducted between January 3 and February 5, 2024, was completed by 989 people, including 522 neighborhood residents and 140 neighborhood office workers.

A majority of respondents (53 percent) said that Flatiron and NoMad are “much cleaner” than other neighborhoods. The collective “cleanliness rating,” based on the number of respondents who said Flatiron and NoMad are either “much cleaner” or “about the same” as other neighborhoods, was 92 percent—an 18 percent increase from the prior year.

The “homelessness rating,” which counts respondents who said Flatiron and NoMad have “much less,” “slightly less,” or "the same” homelessness as other neighborhoods was 75 percent—a four percent increase from the prior year.

Cleanliness and homelessness are tracked by the Flatiron NoMad Partnership to evaluate—and, if needed, to adapt—its sanitation and homeless outreach services, which supplement services provided by the City of New York. The Partnership’s “Clean Team” cleans streets, sidewalks, plazas, and public amenities throughout the district, keeping these spaces inviting to the tens of thousands of residents, commuters, and visitors who enjoy them every day. The Partnership also works in collaboration with the nonprofit Urban Pathways to assist people experiencing homelessness in the area, including connecting them with support services.

“We are grateful to our stakeholders who participated in our annual community survey,” said James Mettham, president of the Flatiron NoMad Partnership. “Our teams are out on the streets every day, working hard to keep our public spaces clean, safe, and beautiful—and you see that reflected in these responses. We will analyze this feedback to determine how we can make Flatiron and NoMad even more welcoming and vibrant for residents, commuters, and visitors.”

The survey affirmed that Flatiron and NoMad remain pedestrian-first neighborhoods, with 61 percent of respondents saying that walking is their primary mode of transportation. Ten percent answered “bicycle,” a six percent increase from a year ago, consistent with record-breaking Citi Bike ridership in the district, which has surpassed pre-pandemic numbers. Five percent cited “commuter rail” (PATH, LIRR, Metro North, NJ Transit, or regional bus) as their primary mode of transportation, a four percent increase from last year, which is consistent with data tracked by the Partnership showing that commuters are coming to their offices in the district more frequently.

When asked to select “challenges for the Partnership to prioritize,” the leading answer was bicycle/pedestrian safety and infrastructure, followed (in order) by homeless outreach, greenery/street beautification, community programming and events/family activities, public safety, sanitation, public art, and public seating.

When asked to choose which streetscape, beautification, and placemaking efforts they would like to see more of in Flatiron and NoMad, survey participants’ most common selection was curbside trash, followed (in order) by bike parking racks and corrals, festive lighting, public plazas and Open Streets, outdoor dining, Citi Bike stations, public art installations, playgrounds and outdoor recreation space, sidewalk benches and public seating, and sidewalk planters and street trees.

The survey also included a list of the categories of public events that the Partnership hosts throughout the year and asked respondents to select the events they would like to see more often. Performances (live music, improv, dance, etc.) led the way, followed in order by arts and culture (crafts, poetry, etc.); outdoor fitness classes (yoga, Pilates, dance, etc.), neighborhood networking (curated happy hours, etc.), and family-friendly activities.

Among other findings:

• 74 percent—excluding residents and tourists—said they come to Flatiron or Nomad at least three days a week, and 44 percent come at least five days a week.
• 79 percent said they feel safe in Flatiron and Nomad “all the time” or “often.”
• 96 percent said they would recommend Flatiron and NoMad to a friend.
• “Local event recommendations” was the most cited category of content that respondents said they would like to receive.

The Flatiron NoMad Partnership, formed in 2006, is a nonprofit organization and business improvement district that serves the businesses, people, and places that help make Flatiron and NoMad two of Manhattan’s most iconic and authentic destinations. Home to a range of retailers and employers, cultural and educational institutions, and a thriving residential community, the district is a center of activity. The Partnership serves as a dedicated steward and supporter of public life in the district by maintaining a clean and safe environment; spearheading area improvement projects; and marketing and championing the diverse business and retail options in this vibrant and historic neighborhood.