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Council hears that River City storefront grant nearly spent as members push for neighborhood reach
Summary
Vice Chair Elliott pressed administrators about a $600,000 storefront improvement program run in partnership with River City; staff said 11 applications have been approved and nearly all funds are committed, and council members asked whether the program will be renewed and how it benefits neighborhood businesses.
Vice Chair Elliott pressed staff on an economic development resolution tied to storefront improvements offered in partnership with River City, asking how much of the program's funding remains and whether the program reaches neighborhoods beyond downtown. "Nearly all the funds have been exhausted," Sarah said, adding the program has had 11 approved applications, three pending applications and about three to four inquiries a week.
Council members questioned program scope and equity. Councilman Clark asked how many grantees are locally owned and whether the program favors downtown property owners. "Nine of our approved applications of 11 out of our 13 total applications are locally owned businesses," Sarah said, adding the program aims to help mom-and-pop operators compete with better-funded franchises. Vice Chair Elliott and other members asked whether the $600,000 line item will return as an annual request; city staff indicated there are replenishing funds and that annual requests are likely.
Council members also sought geographic clarity on River City's footprint. Sarah described the service area as "Fraser Avenue on the North Shore" to the interstate, bounded on the west by Highway 27 and extending toward UTC and Central Avenue on the east. Council members urged staff to consider incentives that more directly support neighborhood retail and to return periodically with program performance metrics, including jobs created and sales growth.
The exchange concluded with an agreement that staff would track outcomes and report back; council members signaled interest in recurring support but pressed for clearer neighborhood benefits.
