What We Heard: Results from the 2025 Downtown Community Survey

What We Heard: Highlights from the 2025 Downtown Community Survey

Earlier this year, Main Street Fort Smith conducted a community survey to better understand how people use downtown Fort Smith, what they value most, and what they would like to see in the future. The survey was open from July 14 through August 31, 2025 and shared through social media, traditional media, our website, and in-person outreach at community events.

In total, nearly 1,200 people responded, and 87% indicated they visit downtown Fort Smith regularly. This means the results largely reflect the voices of people who are already spending time downtown and care about its future.

Below is a snapshot of what we learned — and how we plan to use this information moving forward.

How People Use Downtown Today

Downtown Fort Smith continues to serve as a hub for dining, entertainment, and social activity.

Among regular downtown visitors, the top reasons for visiting are:

• Dining: 71.4%

• Entertainment: 45.3%

• Events and festivals: 42.7%

• Socializing and atmosphere: 38.3%

• Shopping for fun: 28.5%

These results reinforce what we see every day: downtown is a place to gather, connect, and experience the city together.

What People Want More of Downtown

When asked what activities they would like to see more of downtown, live experiences rose to the top.

Top desired activities among regular visitors include:

• Live music performances: 69.8%

• Movie screenings or a movie theater: 49.4%

• Art experiences: 45.5%

• Games and interactive activities: 38.7%

• Sports-related activities: 35.5%

Live music ranked as the most desired activity across every age group, highlighting the importance of events and arts programming in downtown Fort Smith.

Business Types in Demand

Respondents also shared what kinds of businesses they would like to see more of downtown. Experience-based concepts led the list:

• Family entertainment (arcades, escape rooms, mini-golf): 37.5%

• Arts and cultural venues: 29.9%

• Casual or family restaurants: 29.6%

• Breweries, wineries, or distilleries: 29.1%

• Shared food vendor spaces: 25.3%

These preferences point to opportunities for both short-term pop-ups and long-term business growth.

Challenges Identified

The survey also asked respondents to identify challenges that impact their downtown experience.

The most frequently cited concerns were:

• Homelessness or housing insecurity: 62.2%

• Lack of businesses suited to household needs: 42.3%

• Vacant storefronts or vacant lots: 34.1%

• Buildings in need of rehabilitation: 33.1%

• Feeling unsafe or concerns about crime: 19.6%

While safety was noted, the responses suggest that perceptions are closely tied to visible conditions, activity levels, lighting, and overall care of the district.

Downtown Living & Livability

Respondents were also asked what would make living downtown more desirable. Key factors included:

• Greater sense of safety: 60.5%

• More things to do, shop, and eat: 55.4%

• A livelier environment: 37.6%

• More basic amenities: 35.1%

• More housing options: 33.7%

These insights reinforce the idea that downtown is not only a destination, but also a neighborhood — and that livability plays a critical role in its long-term success.

How Main Street Fort Smith Will Use This Data

The results of this survey are directly informing Main Street Fort Smith’s 2026–2030 work plan. Based on community input, our focus areas include:

• Expanding events, arts programming, and placemaking initiatives

• Supporting small business growth, including short-term and temporary activation of vacant spaces

• Continuing our Mini-Grant Program to support exterior building improvements

• Improving the visibility and perception of vacant storefronts

• Coordinating with public and private partners to strengthen downtown livability

This feedback helps ensure our work remains data-driven, community-informed, and aligned with the needs of people who use downtown every day.

Thank You for Participating

We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their perspective. Community input is essential to shaping a vibrant, welcoming, and economically strong downtown Fort Smith.

The full survey summary is available [here], and we look forward to continuing the conversation as we work together to build downtown’s future.