SPRINGFIELD — Almost $2 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds was awarded to 17 local restaurants and organizations looking to refurbish, create or expand outdoor dining in Springfield.

On May 30, Mayor Domenic Sarno and Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan announced the 12th round of ARPA funds at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club.

The application period for the ARPA-funded Outdoor Dining Program, offering grants between $25,000 and $250,000, closed on May 5. The program is administered by the city’s Office of Planning and Economic Development.

Sarno said outdoor dining has had a “tremendous positive” effect and has been popular, adding “vibrancy” not only to the restaurant row area, but to the neighborhood areas as well.

Sarno shared that they received an “outstanding” request for funds — over $3.4 million — from many of these establishments, most of which are neighborhood staples, mom and pops, along with newer businesses.

Each application was scored based on criteria in the application guidelines, with the highest scoring applications being recommended for funding. Some of the criteria includes improving foot traffic, strong design elements and other sources of funding being used for the project aside from this program.

“People absolutely love — from near and far — coming to the city of Springfield. And now to be able to expand it to more neighborhood staple areas … It really warms my heart,” Sarno said.

The awarded businesses and the funding they received are as follows:

• City Line Café — $250,000
• Student Prince Restaurant and The Fort — $179,450
• John Boyle O’Reilly Club — $250,000
• White Lion Brewing Company — $250,000
• Hot Table — $195,000
• Nadim’s Downtown — $100,000
• Springfield Business Improvement District — $35,000
• Granny’s Baking Table — $46,160
• Osteria — $75,000
• Theodores — $65,000
• UNO Pizzeria & Grill — $100,000
• Hilton Garden Inn — $75,000
• Nathan Bill’s Bar & Restaurant — $75,000
• The Mamou — $53,332
• Loophole Brewing — $100,000
• 2 Guys Pizza — $75,000
• 1441 Main Street — $75,000

Sarno noted that outdoor dining came to be as a result of COVID-19. He recognized Sheehan’s efforts in assisting businesses to switch to takeout and outdoor dining in the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

With this 12th round of ARPA funds, Sarno recognized outdoor dining’s health purposes along with the overall enhancement to each business.

“Not much good came out of COVID, but the hospitality of [the] community’s embracement and the public’s embracement, and the city’s embracement of outdoor dining is one example of something good that came out of COVID,” said Sheehan.

He went on to say that outdoor dining engages the pedestrian environment with a “sense of excitement.”

“It’s good for the city and it’s good for business,” Sheehan said. He thanked the awardees for what all their businesses mean to the city and their contributions to make the city a center for hospitality and restaurant dining.

White Lion Brewing founder and President Ray Berry brought renderings to show plans for their outdoor space, which is a new container park concept. “Pre-COVID, we had activated Tower Square Park and had hundreds of folks in on a weekly basis,” Berry said. “We’re moving past that [and are] going to activate the park on a more permanent basis.”

Berry continued, “The key component behind this [is] it’s going to drive new business development. We’re going to have a container that will warehouse two kitchens. It’s going to be a street food concept [and] it will not only enhance the downtown food conversation but also complement the existing food establishments.”

The renderings also displayed a facing stage container and several tables and chairs throughout the park. “Though White Lion is the vessel of this project, at the end of the day it’s a community conversation. It benefits the city of Springfield, it benefits the fabric of downtown,” Berry said. He noted that they look forward to creating new jobs and opportunities for small businesses.

Rich Devine, president of the John Boyle O’Reilly Club said, “We have been in the Springfield community since 1880, and we’ve tried to be a good neighbor and do whatever we can to help out other businesses and charities.” However, the club went bankrupt during COVID-19.

“Due to the members in the community, we’re able to get back on our feet again — we’re growing — our membership is growing,” said Devine. The coronavirus pandemic led them to try outdoor dining for the first time and he shared that it “really worked.” Now, Devine said they are excited to expand that and look forward to working with the other businesses to “make Springfield strong.”

Loophole Brewing, one of the ARPA recipients, is a new business that will be opening on Taylor Street. Loophole partner Jeff Goulet said they are “thrilled” to receive this award which will accelerate their opening in July.

Goulet shared that they are looking forward to the walkability going from Union Station to Taylor Street, down to White Lion and MGM Springfield. “We’re really looking to try and build upon that,” he said. This includes having an outdoor dog watering station, outdoor mural that people can take pictures in front of and more.

Hot Table co-owner John DeVoie shared plans for their Tower Square location, which includes a “significant upgrade” to the existing patio built nearly 25 years ago. He said it will be something like what you see in Boston or New York City.

“We were excited by the interest in this program and look forward to seeing these dollars get implemented in these establishments in time for patrons to enjoy some of these new spaces this season,” said Sarno in a written statement.