San Antonio to vote on $2.25M relief for businesses hit by construction
Local businesses that have been impaired by ongoing construction projects around San Antonio could soon see some monetary relief if approved by the city. District 1 Councilman Mario Bravo tweeted last Friday, January 6 that $2.25 million is “now on the agenda” for local businesses that have seen a decline or have had to close their doors because of construction.
“You asked for help. We advocated. We pushed,” Bravo said in the tweet.
The city council will consider this grant program this Wednesday, January 11, at the B session meeting starting at 2 p.m. The funds will come from the $17 million in American Rescue Plan Act money. Businesses along 14 corridors where construction began between January 2020 and June 2022. City staff will discuss the application scoring process at the meeting.
The consideration comes after the business owners and some council members bashed a $400,000 construction mitigation pilot program, a majority of which would pay for signage and promotions.
Bravo’s district covers North St. Mary’s Street and the businesses along that strip, which have been dealing with road closure, sidewalk closures, and construction equipment at their front doors for nearly nearly two years. Chad Carey owns music venue Paper Tiger and bar Midnight Swim on the St. Mary’s Strip. He said in a tweet that he will be “the first guy” to give credit to Bravo and Mayor Ron Nirenberg if the relief is approved.
Other business owners and public officials expressed similar cautious optimism.
Others, like Squeezebox owner Aaron Peña, were less optimistic. In fact, he tweeted that he refused to show any optimism until businesses are paid. He also tweeted his support for businesses and patrons calling out SpawGlass, the contractor handling the road work and sidewalk improvements on North St. Mary’s Street.
