ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Tuesday night at the Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word in Rochester, the Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition is held a town hall, allowing people to voice their opinions. The group MARC — which consists of several other neighborhood, nonprofit, and grassroots groups, including the Southeast Area Coalition, the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association, the Monroe Avenue Merchants Association, and more — released a survey in June. The goal of the survey was to find out what residents wanted changed in the neighborhood. Executive Director of SEAC, Mike Evans, said that generally the survey reflected what MARC knew: People want crime addressed, beautification, small business support, and better and more accessible transportation options. "In fact, the number one answer was, wait for it. Crime, drug, safety, vagrancy, begging and homelessness. Now when we look at the data, of course, we know that although the homeless problem in Monroe Avenue is apparent, but homeless people are not as a category violent crime offenders," Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association President Rome Celli said. Celli went on to say the crimes around Monroe Avenue are not often related to the homeless people who are in the area. "There are crimes around Monroe Avenue, and they're important. But you can see how complex the problem is. We have to address these things in very particular ways. Even though, as a community we start, we tend to lump them together," Celli said. Solutions discussed included improved public restrooms, as well as more security cameras for the established businesses. Down the list a bit: improvements for roads, intersections, parking, and crosswalks in the area. "Parking got thrown into that one, and parking is kind of... it's interesting. It does affect people who live in the neighborhood, but all times, it's business oriented. When I pull up to a business, I can't find a spot to park. But when you talk about infrastructure, walking and biking, that's a little bit of a different category, isn't it? So, we're looking at these things because it's helping us to understand," Celli said. After breaking down the survey, residents and those who want to see the area improve had the chance to speak and provide suggestions. One idea already in the works is the Neighbor Ambassador Program. "The City is providing monetary support so we are going to have ten participants that are in active houselessness, or drug addiction and they are going to be working in your neighborhood and we're going to pay them $15 an hour cash to help pay for their circumstances," Courtney with MC Collaborative said. "Our crime is getting out of control. Our city, our safety, is in jeopardy," one resident said. "We're up against a lot of systemic barriers, but I do think approaching it from a humanistic point of view is the way to go," Rochester City Councilmember Mary Lupien said. "If we work together, when we work together, we can make a better Rochester," Lori Thomas with Neighbors Unite 585 said. Evans says that once they compile the survey and the responses, MARC can apply for grants, and better engage the community on what they want done. Evans is also looking for volunteers to help with the work. Next is a follow up session for public discussion and working meeting on December 2. Survey Results: Monroe-Ave-Revitalization-Report-V3Download