Meeting_Body
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 14, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: BUSINESS INTERRUPTION FUND (BIF) AND EAT-SHOP-PLAY (ESP) PROGRAMS
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
ADOPTING the Business Interruption Fund (BIF) Project Eligibility Policy, establishing two pathways to eligibility: Standard Eligibility and the Project Acceleration Partnership (Attachment A);
RECEIVING AND FILING information on Metro’s construction mitigation strategy for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects, including Eat Shop Play (ESP).
Issue
ISSUE
At its May 2023 meeting, the Board approved Motion 17 by Directors Horvath, Dupont-Walker, Solis, Barger, Krekorian, and Dutra, directing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to establish a permanent BIF (Attachment B). The Motion also directed staff to provide a program update that considers, but is not limited to: A) resources necessary to maintain the permanent BIF and B) culturally competent outreach and inclusive technical assistance to adequately support affected businesses.
Metro will deliver an unprecedented program of transit construction over the next decade. BIF has proven to be one of Metro’s most effective tools for keeping small businesses open through that construction, and clear eligibility criteria allow Metro to deploy it consistently and strategically. This report recommends adoption of a BIF Project Eligibility Policy, informed by ten years of experience.
The Policy also supports faster project delivery. Through a new Project Acceleration Partnership, BIF eligibility can extend to shorter-duration projects, such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), where the local jurisdiction commits to streamlining approvals that shortens construction. Qualifying construction acceleration strategies can reduce the duration of disruption for businesses allowing an earlier return to normal customer access. This report also responds to Director Solis’s request for information on how Metro will supp...
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