In a move to bolster small businesses battered by ongoing MTA construction, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, together with Supervisors Joel Engardio and Myrna Melgar, has announced a new relief initiative aimed at the Taraval Street merchants affected by the L Taraval Improvement Project. This lifeline comes from a $1 million fund, part of a larger relief package yet to be voted on by the Board of Supervisors, designated specifically to support those businesses grappling with the adversity brought by the transit project, as detailed in an announcement on the City's official website.
Mayor Breed expressed her commitment to supporting the heart of the city amid crucial infrastructural upgrades, stating, "We must continue to do everything we can to support our small businesses in this City," recognizing the especially hard-hitting challenges that have beset the Taraval Street corridor during the construction. According to the city's announcement, the funding injection is not only a response to the construction woes but also part of a concerted effort to keep the small business community vibrant and sustainable; Supervisor Joel Engardio, serving the Sunset district, paralleled these sentiments by underscoring the dire need for assistance and reminder that, “Spending a portion of the APEC funds to help Taraval is about saving businesses and our tax base, which benefits the whole city.” despite that, some businesses have reported sales dips as steep as 70 percent, necessitating urgent action to prevent the possibility of empty storefronts lining the new tracks.
The Taraval Street support package includes more than direct financial aid, such as free transit on the Chinese New Year Parade day and parking concessions throughout February at the Portsmouth Square garage. The suite of measures is expected to go before the full Board for approval on February 27, echoing District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar’s enthusiasm over the plan laid out to rally behind the Taraval merchants through a statement on the city's website, Melgar said, "These merchants are the lifeblood of our City, and we will continue to find ways to support them."
In addition to monetary grants, the city has put forth several other initiatives to mitigate the business downturn caused by the construction: SFMTA sought community feedback and adjusted its temporary staging areas accordingly, added mid-block crossings for the convenience of seniors braving the construction maze, introduced angled parking to up the number of spaces, and went so far as to suspend work during the holiday season as a gesture of goodwill. In addition, these ongoing efforts have been communicated through various channels. Team members designated by SFMTA and related city departments have been on the scene, reaching out to business owners, disseminating updates, and rolling out resources like the dedicated 'Take Time for Taraval' marketing campaign—with all these initiatives hinting at a multifaceted approach to revitalize the neighborhood.
While the finish line for the L Taraval project is slated for Fall 2024, with promises of safer pedestrian pathways, more reliable transit service, and refreshed infrastructure, the present reality hinges on these measures of support holding the line against the tide of construction-induced hardship. Today, Mayor Breed and Supervisor Engardio met with Taraval merchants to discuss the specifics of this relief funding and explore further means of bolstering the small businesses upon which the character and economy of Taraval Street so heavily rely.
