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Q&A
Discussion on supporting new businesses in the rezoned area
1:17:14
ยท
82 sec
Council Member Crystal Hudson inquires about the administration's plans to support new businesses and ensure local workers can benefit from the opportunities created by the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan (AAMUP). Alex Sommer from the Department of City Planning (DCP) outlines their approach to supporting businesses in the rezoned area.
- Hudson asks how the administration will support tens of thousands of square feet of new commercial space.
- Sommer explains that DCP is working closely with Small Business Services (SBS) on various support measures.
- He mentions potential relocation assistance, lease renewal support, and lease negotiation support for small businesses.
- Sommer emphasizes the goal of providing access and equity to long-time residents who want to open small businesses in the new spaces.
Crystal Hudson
1:17:14
Okay.
1:17:15
I look forward to continuing the conversation.
1:17:18
Given that this proposal could result in tens of thousands of square feet in new office, retail, and other commercial space, how does the administration propose to support these businesses and ensure that local workers can benefit from these opportunities?
Alex Sommer
1:17:32
So it's a great question.
1:17:34
We are working very, very closely with small business services, not only on what I was mentioning before about potential relocation assistance, but also importantly supporting small businesses from the area to relocate into all of this new space.
1:17:53
So we're working with them.
1:17:55
They've identified things like in support of lease renewals and lease negotiation support.
1:18:01
They've identified some points of contact within the agency that will be added to this process.
1:18:07
And then really importantly, SBS works very closely with local organizations.
1:18:13
And so we're working with SBS to identify what programs currently work that can be beefed up or modified and what needs to be added through this process to really get the growth that's going to come out of this plan to provide access and equity to the residents that have lived there long before the rezoning and wanted to open up small businesses in all of these new spaces.