City of San Antonio officials announced Aug. 8 funds totaling $122,261 in noise mitigation grants will be awarded to 21 local businesses.
According to a news release, the program is focused on helping noise-amplifying small food and beverage businesses better equip their locations to reduce externally emitted sound.
Between March 27 and April 28, the city received 26 applications and approved 21 applications. Four applications were denied, and one was withdrawn. Many of the approved grant recipients are located in the North St. Mary’s Street entertainment district or in the downtown area.
Nineteen of the businesses have been officially and fully awarded a grant; two other businesses have been preapproved for a grant, but an announcement of the final grant amount is pending final documentation with the city.
- Afghan Village Halal Market, $7,500
- The AMP Room, $7,500
- Beethoven Maennerchor, $7,500
- Bentley's Bar, $7,500
- Bentley's Beer Garden, $7,500
- Brass Monkey, $6,000
- El Buho, $5,915.52
- Commonwealth Coffee, $6,413.79
- Fringecomplex, $7,044.57
- Gallery Nightclub, $7,500
- Hi-Tones, $4,125
- Insomnia Records/DV8 Nightclub, $7,000.49
- JJ’s Tavern, $7,500
- Lighthouse Lounge, $6,150
- Lonesome Rose, $5,012.25
- Man Overboard Brewing Co., $7,500
- Sam's Burger Joint, $7,500
- Tequio Community Works, $5,538
- La Villita Cafe, $1,562.25
City Manager Erik Walsh said the program is designed to assist local small businesses to ensure they are successful without the effects of their dining and entertainment offerings adversely affecting neighboring merchants or residents.
“The funding allocated through this grant program helps business owners better serve their customers and mitigates noise pollution that may otherwise impact their residential neighbors,” Walsh said in a statement.
Through the grant, qualifying applicants could receive matching funds to offset the cost of noise-mitigating improvements, such as enclosing outdoor entertainment areas, adding sound absorbing panels and curtains, and adding sound monitors, the release states. Matched funds were available to cover 75% of planned project costs, with a cap of $7,500 per qualifying applicant.
Grant recipient Hi-Tones will use grant funds to increase insulation in its walls and ceilings. In doing so, external noise produced by the business will decrease significantly, owner Danny Delgado said.
“It’s grants like this that will help our business strive and build a better relationship with the community,” Delgado said in a statement. “As a small business, every dollar counts, and with help like this, we can continue to be successful now and in the future.”
