Glossary of Terms: Construction Mitigation

These terms are often used to describe practices in Business or Construction Mitigation. These are practices used by public agencies when building large-scale capital projects. These projects often impact neighborhoods and businesses in negative ways. Construction mitigation measures are then employed to counteract some of these negative effects by keeping the public informed on progress, impacts and providing assistance to struggling businesses.
  • Wayfinding signage – Temporary, Outdoor, Weather resistant signs that help direct traffic to a location when normal routes have been obstructed. For example; "Businesses Open During Construction."
  • Construction Hotline – Typically a toll-free number provided to the public that can route callers to an appropriate representative for questions. This is sometimes an automated line for reporting construction concerns and hearing pre-recorded construction updates.
  • Business Consulting – A consultant, typically with an expertise in small-business growth, or marketing is provided to impacted businesses free of charge for a set amount of time to give strategies for countering any loss of business due to construction and business access.
  • Multilingual Outreach – Hiring, or contracting with, outreach staff who are fluent in major languages represented in the construction area.
  • Door-to-Door Canvassing - The practice of sending out agency staff periodically to the neighborhoods and businesses impacted by construction. These one-on-one touch points are used to share information and hear from the people and businesses affected.
  • Travel Demand Management Service - “Travel Demand Management (TDM) is generally defined as helping people change their travel behavior to meet their travel needs by using different modes, traveling at different times, making fewer or shorter trips, or taking different routes. Communities have found TDM programs to be flexible; low cost; measurable; and a good way to engage residents, travelers and businesses.” (Source: Atlanta Regional Commission – TDM Construction Mitigation Best Practices, 2007)
  • Public Events – Public Events for Business Mitigation are typically events that promote foot-traffic and commerce in and around impacted business districts. This can sometimes include street fairs, an lunch buses, where the agency takes staff or other partners to restaurants impacted by construction.
  • Advertising Campaigns – These are paid media campaigns designed to promote shopping and commerce in impacted business districts. The agency produces videos, digital or print media to showcase local businesses and encourage local shopping in these areas.
  • SEO Campaigns - SEO stands for “Search Engine Optimization.” These are digital campaigns that do not include paid media. Instead, these campaigns focus on technical services that help a business become more visible online. This can include helping the business be found more easily on a Google map.
  • Temporary Public Art – Temporary public art is often used to beautify an area where construction is taking place. These are often on construction walls but can take many shapes. Agency’s partner with local artists or artist organizations to curate original artworks and enhance the construction or sound walls.
  • Small Business Grants – Typically funded through community partnerships, the small business grants are available to small businesses who are impacted by the construction and meet other criteria specified by the grantors. Grants are typically used to help businesses lessen the impact on their bottom line by investing in updated business signage or investments to increase sales.
  • Workshops – Educational workshops around an area of specialty such as Promotions, or Business Development are provided at no-cost to business owners impacted by construction.