In a bid to rejuvenate downtown San Francisco, Supervisor Aaron Peskin has proposed legislation aimed at simplifying the permitting process for outdoor events. This initiative comes as the downtown area struggles to recover from pandemic-induced challenges, with foot traffic significantly below pre-2020 levels, affecting local businesses.

Context of Downtown’s Challenges

Since the onset of the pandemic, many small businesses in downtown San Francisco have faced difficulties due to reduced foot traffic. In response, city officials, including Mayor London Breed, have implemented various strategies such as the Vacant to Vibrant program and designated “entertainment zones” where restaurants can serve alcohol during street events.

Streamlining Outdoor Events with New Legislation

Peskin’s proposal, known as the Greater Downtown Master Permit program, aims to simplify the current permitting process for outdoor gatherings. As reported by local sources, the legislation would allow community benefit districts (CBDs) to more easily organize recurring outdoor events, thereby contributing to the area’s economic recovery.

According to Peskin, “This legislation came directly from the community of Downtown stakeholders who have worked so hard to be a part of the City’s economic recovery, but still struggle with the slow pace and confusing duplicative nature of our permitting systems.” He emphasized the importance of facilitating local events such as art walks and block parties to revitalize the neighborhood.

Key Features of the Proposed Legislation

• The program would introduce approximately a dozen new “entertainment zones” across downtown.
• Each entertainment zone would be obligated to host 30 annual events.
• The proposed master permits would be valid for five years, reducing the need for multiple permits for every single event.

This proposed initiative represents a significant shift from the current system, where each outdoor event requires several permits from different city agencies.

Support and Funding for Downtown Events

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has approved a budget allocation of $2.75 million to support the CBDs in organizing events. Robbie Silver, president and CEO of the Downtown SF Partnership, commented on the importance of this legislation, stating, “Imagine what we can accomplish for San Francisco just by creatively streamlining clunky government processes.” He further highlighted that the legislation prioritizes downtown recovery through regular programming in underused areas.

Upcoming Events and Future Prospects

While this proposal is still awaiting consideration from the Board of Supervisors after their summer recess, there are events already taking place to foster downtown vibrancy. For instance, the Downtown First Thursdays event is set to return on August 1, featuring live music and social activities, which aims to attract attendees and promote local businesses.

This month’s event will take place on Second Street, and attendees can expect a DJ set from Vandelux, who is also scheduled to perform at the upcoming Outside Lands festival.