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Staff presents peer-city options to support businesses affected by city construction; committee files report
Summary
City staff presented a report examining peer programs in San Antonio and Salt Lake City to support businesses affected by city-led construction; the committee filed the report and members asked whether the approach could expand to non‑city projects and to link with existing small-business programs.
City budget staff presented a report to the Budget and Finance Committee reviewing programs that support businesses affected by city construction and recommended next steps based on peer-city examples in San Antonio and Salt Lake City.
Dr. Dutis said the report focuses on city construction projects and draws lessons from other cities' programs. Councilmember Walsh, who requested the follow-up, said the research grew from recent construction impacts on East Side businesses and Hyde Park and noted that Salt Lake City reported that 95% of businesses receiving support remained open. "I think that's one of our main goals here," Walsh said.
Committee members asked whether the recommendations could apply to non–city‑led projects, such as county or MSD construction; Dr. Dutis said the report focused on city projects but that the scope could be expanded. Councilmembers also suggested exploring folding business-support measures into existing small-business grant programs and partnering with the county on non‑city projects. Members requested more detail on the number of annual street closures and the number of businesses typically affected.
The committee filed the report and directed members to read it as background for possible next steps.
