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Eugene seeks three words to describe its downtown

In a Nov. 10, 2016 photo, a visitor hauls a cart full of belongings through downtown Eugene, left, past another visitor asking for money at Broadway and Willamette in Eugene, Ore. A wave of complaints about aggressive dogs in the downtown area of Oregon's third most populous city has prompted Eugene city councilors to ban dogs from the downtown area except those owned by people who live or work there. (Chris Pietsch / AP)
Associated Press
In a Nov. 10, 2016 photo, a visitor hauls a cart full of belongings through downtown Eugene, left, past another visitor asking for money at Broadway and Willamette in Eugene, Ore. A wave of complaints about aggressive dogs in the downtown area of Oregon's third most populous city has prompted Eugene city councilors to ban dogs from the downtown area except those owned by people who live or work there. (Chris Pietsch / AP)

EUGENE – City officials are once again asking people to describe downtown Eugene.

The first questions in the online survey ask Lane County residents to choose three words to describe downtown and its public spaces. When the question was posed earlier this year, the top three responses were “dirty,” “homeless” and “unsafe.”

The Register-Guard reports the city has since increased security, imposed a temporary ban on dogs and expanded their effort to steer chronic offenders to social services.

City spokeswoman Laura Hammond says people are starting to see downtown differently, and hopefully that will make a difference in the perception. The deadline to complete the survey is Sept. 25.