Title
Status Report on Implementation of the City of Alameda's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
Body
To: Members of the Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In July 2018, the City Council adopted the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP). The final EDSP, as well as the background report, can be found at this link: https://www.alamedaca.gov/Departments/Community-Development/Economic-Development/EDSP.
The Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) supplements the EDSP by specifically addressing the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Alameda's economy (which can be accessed here: https://www.alamedaca.gov/Departments/Community-Development/COVID-19-Economic-Recovery-Task-Force).
Since the onset of the pandemic, staff and City Council have worked on a number of initiatives to diminish the impact of the crisis in Alameda. The ERP sets forth additional strategies to further mitigate these impacts. At its last meeting on March 1, 2021, the Economic Development Advisory Panel's (EDAP) reviewed of the ERP.
This report is to provide EDAP with the current status of implementing the ERP. This item is for discussion purposes only; no action is recommended.
BACKGROUND
The global COVID-19 pandemic had prompted widespread public health and shelter-in-place restrictions, resulting in a sudden economic recession with unprecedented increases in unemployment and business closures.
In the initial weeks and months of the shelter-in-place, staff and City Council worked to implement a number of immediate actions to help local businesses, including:
* Creation of the Commercial Streets Program that included re-striping Park and Webster Streets and implementing a streamlined permitting process for parklets and large al fresco dining areas.
* Creation of emergency zoning changes: for example, to extend business hours for food related services and to make curbside pickup easier.
* Communication of key information and resources through the City's website, a webin...
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