METRO devotes $5 million to assist small businesses

Mitigation eases construction

Jay Blazek Crossley, Dec 21, 09.

The Board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) devoted $5 million to assist small businesses impacted by the construction of Houston’s 5 new light rail lines, according to the Houston Chronicle. According to research done by Houston Tomorrow, adopting any of the many options available to mitigate the interruptions caused by the construction of light rail appears to have a strong impact on the ability of local businesses to survive and prosper.

METRO has followed many of Houston Tomorrow’s recommendations for mitigating the negative impacts of light rail construction, introducing a suite of measures to ensure that neighborhoods and businesses equitably benefit from transit investment.

METRO also seeks to help small businesses in the Houston region in general by making contracting opportunities available to small business.

Light Rail Construction: Mitigation of Business Interruption (pdf report)

Interviews with Richmond Business and Property Owners

Houston Tomorrow Light Rail Research
Includes studies of the actual impact of light rail construction along Main Street, attitudes and concerns of business owners, business interruption during and after construction of a new light rail line, and analysis of various alternatives for light rail implementation in Houston.