Flickr via Slices of Light

A demographic survey aims to identify the needs and wants of DTLA visitors and residents.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A group of Downtown property owners are surveying area residents, employees and visitors to try and determine what new business people want the most.

"The survey results will be used to help recruit preferred restaurants, retailers and other providers of goods and services to Downtown LA to better serve those who live, work, play and visit here," says the Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID), who are

previous surveys of this kind were used to bring Ralphs market as well as the new City Target to DTLA. Questions range from basic demographic information such as age and yearly income, to where you prefer to buy groceries and how far you will travel to get them.

The survey also asks about how you get to work, what you do in your free time and how often you eat out in Downtown. It also identifies specific chains such as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods and asks how often you would shop at one of those locations if they were available in DTLA.

The questions are available online until April 14 and take about 10 minutes to complete.

This year's survey is the fourth of its kind from the DCBID who began collecting data through these questions in 2006. The results from it are provided to any business or company that's considering setting up shop in the DTLA community, and can provide insight into the market potential of Downtown.