John Marian, of Big Basin Chiropractic, is leading an effort to find out the opinions of merchants and landlords on Big Basin Way.

Marian, who is active in the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and the Saratoga Village Development Council, said that the effort started late last year.

"But there were several changes at the Chamber and everything got delayed," Marian said.

This month Marian, working on behalf of the Chamber, will distribute flyers to all Village merchants and landlords to solicit their opinions. The flyer lists some general questions about the current business climate in the Village. It also includes questions about the roles of the city and the Chamber of Commerce.

"The idea is to start a dialogue so that we know exactly how the Village merchants feel," said Marian.

He said that the survey has become crucial since an effort to establish a redevelopment agency in downtown Saratoga has failed.

"The city has a lot on its plate. They have to take care of the sidewalks. I'm interested in finding out what we can do ourselves to promote the Village," he said.

Marian said that he has already heard from some business owners.

"Some want an anchor store on Big Basin Way so that we can increase foot traffic in the area," he said.

"Personally I want to see people here all the time. But the downtown stores close early," he added. Marian said that he had often asked friends and guests to visit businesses on Big Basin Way only for them to come back and tell him that stores had closed for the day.

"I can't really send them anywhere. Wouldn't it be lovely if they could shop here instead of going to the malls?" Marian said. "The Village lacks a cohesive business plan."

It is Marian's hope that the survey is the first step toward having a complete business plan to develop downtown Saratoga. He expects all the questionnaires to be returned by the end of May. "I'm going to compile the information and present it to the Chamber and the city," he said.

Marian indicated that the Village merchants might be called to a meeting after the results are in.

"The reality is that people here are struggling. Business doesn't seem to be picking up," he said.

Marian said that he is enthused that Jill Hunter, a city planning commissioner, has started a group called the Saratoga Gardeners. The group aims to clean the sidewalks of downtown Saratoga and plant shrubs in the empty flowerbeds.