Committee advances $2 million GO‑Biz grant to revitalize Union Square cafe spaces

The Budget and Finance Committee on April 3 voted to forward to the Board a retroactive authorization for the Recreation and Park Department to accept and expend a $2,000,000 grant from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO‑Biz) for Union Square Park revitalization (January 1, 2024–December 31, 2026).

Neil Patel of the Recreation and Park Department said the funds will modernize cafe and service spaces, enable on‑site cooking by adding appropriate fire suppression and ventilation systems, replace aging equipment, and support design and construction. He said the grant was appropriated by California Senate Bill 104 and is a retroactive award.

Supervisors asked whether prior activation funding to the Greater Organization (reported at $444,000) and the state grant overlap. Jacob Bentliff of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) explained the earlier OEWD activation grant covered marketing, AV, a patisserie refresh, and some durable equipment; the GO‑Biz grant is predominantly for capital improvements, with any leftover funds potentially available for activation. Committee members requested more detailed budget line items once Rec and Park scopes the capital work. The committee forwarded the item to the Board with unanimous support.