San Francisco, CA – Today, Mayor London N. Breed announced the completion of the City’s first round of small business relief grants that were distributed to Taraval merchants impacted by the SFMTA L Taraval Improvement Project. In February 2024, Mayor Breed, with support from the Supervisors Joel Engardio and Myrna Melgar, allocated $1 million to the Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD) to administer a small business grant program for those impacted by the SFMTA L Taraval project.
The first installment provided 150 small businesses with up to $5,000 each to help mitigate construction impacts from Segment B of the L Taraval improvement project, which extended along Taraval Street, from Sunset Blvd through the intersection of 15th Ave.
"The L Taraval Project is critical to maintain our City's public transportation infrastructure and improve safety and access to a vital neighborhood," said Mayor London Breed. "We also understand that impacts caused by construction were challenging for our local merchants. Our small businesses are the backbone of San Francisco, and we will continue to support this community with every resource we have available to us. I want to thank the community and residents along Taraval, in and around the construction areas, for their patience and commitment to the Sunset neighborhood throughout the duration of this needed improvement project, that will ultimately enhance the neighborhood with more accessible transit options.”
"I believe Taraval and the Sunset is poised for a renaissance. But first we need to take care of the businesses who suffered through the worst of this once-in-a-century infrastructure replacement project," said Supervisor Joel Engardio, who represents the Sunset district. "While the construction was necessary, small businesses need protection because they are essential to our local economy. That’s why I support creating a dedicated relief fund for future infrastructure projects that can offer small businesses a lifeline to get them through the disruptions we know will happen."
"Our westside neighborhoods and their small businesses are quintessential San Francisco charm, but investing in our City's essential infrastructure shouldn't come at the expense of these small businesses,” said Supervisor Myrna Melgar. “This new funding ensures that we can keep the trains moving, keep the roads paved, and keep our shops full of happy customers. As our City continues to grow and evolve, I am committed to mitigating any impacts and investing in our westside neighborhoods."
“Earlier this year, I had the pleasure to meet with Mayor Breed to advocate for resources to support merchants along Taraval,” said Ed Siu, President, Chinatown Merchants United Association of San Francisco – Sunset Branch. “I want to thank the Mayor for her leadership and responsiveness in making sure that the grant funding was distributed to merchants in the most equitable way. I also want to thank her departments for their partnership with me, their efficiency and efforts have made sure merchants receive these grants on time.”
“These grants by Mayor Breed have been helpful to our merchants,” said Albert Chow, President of People of Parkside. “I am especially excited about the future for Taraval and the Sunset District. With all the events we are hosting, people are going to have a great time as they come see what Taraval Street and the Sunset have to offer!”
“I want to thank Mayor Breed for her leadership in making the relief grants a reality,” said Lokwan Lei, Owner of Smile House Cafe. “I have been operating my restaurant on Taraval Street since before the construction began. With the impacts from the much-needed improvement project, this relief grant will help with some of my operating costs. And as the construction is wrapping up, I cannot wait to welcome back more patrons and visitors, and to rave about the brand-new Taraval Street.”
The Taraval Street commercial corridor in the Sunset District spans the Parkside neighborhood to the Pacific Ocean. Famous to many as a dumpling heaven, it is home to a variety of retail, personal, and professional services.
The L-Taraval Improvement Project began in 2019 and is scheduled to complete on time and on budget in late September. With improved safety features for pedestrians and riders, OEWD will continue to provide assistance to merchants along the commercial corridor including support services and launching of retail campaigns such as Shop Dine SF Taraval and Take Time For Taraval.
Other events curated in partnership with Taraval merchants later this year will include an outdoor movie event, Movies at McCoppin, during Fridays in October and holiday events. The Sunset District will also welcome three scheduled night markets to celebrate the culinary art, cultural heritage and community resilience that make the Sunset District unique.
In partnership with Self Help for the Elderly, OEWD is also launching Craving Sunset to provide businesses in all of the Sunset commercial corridors like Taraval Street, Noriega Street, Vicente Street and Irving Street with increased exposures to complement the highly anticipated Sunset Night Markets on August 30 and September 27. Foodies will be able to purchase featured food and drink items at discounted and promotional prices at participating restaurants.
Supporting Small Businesses
Mayor Breed has spearheaded a number of significant changes that make it easier for small businesses to open and operate in San Francico compared to previous years. These initiatives include:
- The passage of Prop H in 2020 and the Small Business Recovery Act in 2021 removed the requirement for projects to undergo neighborhood notification and allowed for most projects to be processed “over the counter,” allowing applicants to receive their permit immediately or within two business days.
- Since these changes took effect, nearly 5,300 commercial projects have been able to get their permits over the counter.
- The First Year Free program, which passed in 2021, waives first-year permit, license and business registration fees for new and expanding businesses. This program was extended for a third time and will be in effect through June 30, 2025.
- Since the program began, approximately 7,761 businesses have enrolled in the program and over $3.7 million in fees have been waived.
- In 2021, Mayor Breed opened the New Permit Center, which consolidates the various permitting agencies in one place to more efficiently serve applicants.
- In 2022 the Office of Small Business hired two new Small Business Permit Specialists to assist business owners through the permitting process and to ensure permits are processed in a timely fashion, if not being approved over the counter.
- In 2023, legislation that Mayor Breed sponsored took effect, which made over 100 changes to the Planning Code to ease business restrictions, including:
- Allowing more business uses on the ground floor
- Lifting restrictions on bars and restaurants
- Incorporating new liquor license for music venues
- Removing certain public notice requirements (adding on to what Prop H did)
- Enabling priority processing for nighttime entertainment, bars, and restaurants
- On August 5, 2024, Mayor Breed introduced legislation to further simplify the permitting process by removing the requirement for businesses to submit architectural drawings for projects that involve no new construction and only a transition of one business type to another.
- This legislation will save businesses an average of $10,000 and months of work to secure and pay for architectural drawings.
The above initiatives have collectively saved businesses significant time, money and challenges in opening in San Francisco.
“The Office of Economic and Workforce Development stands ready to help businesses thrive in San Francisco,” said Sarah Dennis Phillips, Executive Director for the Office of Economic Workforce and Development. “We will continue to identify and implement support services, process improvements, and code changes that will make our City a welcoming place to open and run a business."
Additional financial support for small businesses offered by OEWD and the Office of Small Business may be found on this page.
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