The Downtown Investment Authority board approved a grant Aug. 17 for the purchase of outdoor seating at Underbelly, the live entertainment and restaurant venue at 113 E. Bay St., between Newnan and Ocean streets.
The Fun Department LLC, owner and operator of Underbelly, applied for funding under the Retail Enhancement Grant, Sidewalk Enhancement Stand-Alone program.
The project will add seven bar-height cafe tables, 28 chairs and eight stanchions at a cost of $3,983.
The operators also plan to add seven umbrellas with bases at a cost of $1,519.58, for a total cost of $5,502.58.
The grant amount approved is the lesser of $4,300 or 80% of the actual project cost.
Underbelly is open from 11 a.m..-2 a.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 11 a.m..-2 a.m. Saturday.
The property is within the Elbow district of the Targeted Retail Activation: Food and Beverage Establishments Program adopted by DIA in 2021. Property taxes on the venue are confirmed to have been paid for the 2021 tax year as required by program guidelines, according to the grant application.
The Fun Department also owns and operates Spliff’s Gastropub at Ocean and Forsyth streets and 1904 Music Hall and Ocean Street Tacos along Ocean Street.