DEPARTMENT: Office of the City Manager
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Lori Houston
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
SUBJECT: Alamo Plaza Construction Relief Grant Program
SUMMARY:
Phase 1 of the Alamo Plan, funded in part by the 2017-2022 Bond Program, started construction in 2020. San Antonio businesses continue to face challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This project has reduced access to and visibility of small businesses in the Alamo Plaza area, creating additional challenges. The City of San Antonio has developed a grant program to provide relief to qualifying small businesses who are experiencing significant downturn associated with Phase 1 of the Alamo Plan and the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2015, the City of San Antonio, Texas General Land Office, and Alamo Endowment signed a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a master plan for the Alamo Area, known as the Alamo Plan. The plan is funded in part by the 2017-2022 Bond Program for Alamo area Plaza and Alamo area streets improvements.
Construction of Phase 1 of the Alamo Plan began in January 2020 and includes the closure of Crockett Street from Alamo Plaza to Bonham Street, the rehabilitation of Alamo Plaza from Crockett Street to Blum Street, and improvements to Bonham Street from 3rd Street to Crockett Street. Improvements to Bonham and Crockett Streets will be complete by July 2021. A completion date for the plaza area has not been determined.
Small businesses in the area rely on visibility by pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Visibility and access have been significantly reduced by the installation of construction fencing and by street closures.
ISSUE:
The beginning of construction on Alamo Plaza has created challenges for small businesses by reducing visibility and vehicular and pedestrian access to the areas. The City has developed a grant program to provide relief to small businesses affected by the project and by ongoing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qualifying businesses with 30 or fewer employees are eligible for grants of up to $25,000 depending on the number of employees. Applications will be scored based on the business location and business ownership.
Grants will be funded by the Houston Street TIRZ and administered by Centro San Antonio.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City could take no action. Businesses in the program area will continue to face challenges related to construction of the Alamo Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Houston Street TIRZ will fund $250,000 in grants for the Alamo Plaza area plus a 5 percent administration fee. The total funding is $262,500.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes.