San Francisco created the Construction Mitigation Program to provide a suite of measures to support small businesses impacted by construction and improvement projects. These investments include business attraction, public safety, and traffic measures to support residents, merchants, and visitors during the continued construction of the Van Ness Improvement Project.
The suite of resources available to merchants can include technical assistance, marketing, and grants for rent, utilities, and wages and to help a business complete physical improvements to their storefronts such as fixtures, furnishings and equipment painting, compliance with accessibility, and technology upgrades. The expanded use of funds includes reimbursements to businesses for 2020 COVID-19 related storefront renovations, interior/layout improvements for compliance, furniture/fixture purchases, purchases related to health and safety compliance including signage for wayfinding and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hand sanitizers, masks, face shields, gloves etc.
As part of the program, the City launched the Directed Business Support Program to impacted merchants along Van Ness Avenue. Eligible Merchants that are within the construction zone may apply to receive $5,000 - $10,000 per business based on eligibility criteria listed and the level of construction impact.
Further information about eligibility, grant details and the application process can be found on the Van Ness Directed Business Support Program website.