Delayed renovation work on the Wilcox Tunnel could pay off for some area businesses.
City officials announced Monday at a meeting of residents at the Eastdale Youth and Family Development Center that they had developed "a construction mitigation program" as a result of a previous meeting with residents and business owners affected by the tunnel work.
The work on the 84-year tunnel originally was scheduled to be completed this month but now has a completion date of April 11.
While construction projects unquestionably can affect area businesses in the form of less traffic, and thus fewer sales, the city has properly said the $1,000 small business construction mitigation grants it will offer will be awarded based on specific parameters.
The businesses which believe they have been affected by work projects lasting more than 90 days - in the case of the tunnel and across the city in the future - must have fewer than 50 employees. The grants, then, will be given on a case-by-case basis based on construction duration, proximity to construction and severity of traffic disruption.
The city also might have asked the businesses to demonstrate a month over month or year over year financial loss, but that was not included. Perhaps the City Council, which must approve such grants, will ask.
Additional components of the program include increased community outreach efforts by the city; signage to promote affected businesses; a hotline regarding construction projects; a website to promote affected businesses, routing and parking; a project liaison residents and businesses can contact; parking consultation and possible free public transportation to affected businesses; paid advertising in area publications; and assistance with business promotion and development.
The program is scheduled to roll out March 1.
Donna Williams, director of economic and community development for the city, said at the meeting the new program never would have come about had not the affected residents and businesses in Eastdale and Avondale organized and brought their requests to Mayor Andy Berke.
"It never would have happened had it not been for you diligently caring about your community and going about it the right way," she said. "He (Berke) has given us very specific directives about how we are to make this a win for the community."
Small businesses in Chattanooga, devastated by the Great Recession and the federal economic policies that followed the slowdown, can use all the help they can get. It appears the new city program will ensure the help is given equitably and responsibly.