Survey to look at how easy it is to get to downtown Buffalo

How easy do you think it is to get to downtown Buffalo? How easy is it to move around once you're down here?

Those are some of the questions community leaders are hoping to have answered in a new, online survey. Buffalo Place, a not-for-profit organization focused on improving the downtown experience, coordinated the effort.

"We want to find out how people are accessing downtown, what they think about how they're coming downtown and, after the survey is done, how can we make it better," Michael Schmand, Buffalo Place's executive director, explained.

The survey is targeted at people who live or work downtown. It touches a variety of topics, from public transportation and traffic to parking.

Michelle Schubring works downtown and said it's a relatively easy commute from her home in Lockport. But, she offered one thing she thinks would help improve the downtown experience.

"I would love to see us expand the Metro Rail," she said. "In all of the places I've lived that has been a viable option and has really served the communities well. I think it could do the same for us here."

That expansion is something transportation officials are exploring right now.

Elizabeth McClam also works downtown. She lives in Buffalo and finds it pretty easy to get to work. But, she would like to see the city expand its options for free parking.

"Parking is difficult in downtown Buffalo because you have to be in a lot and it costs money," she explained.

If you're interested in taking the survey, you can find it here.