Battle Of Nob Hill Continues

A San Francisco neighborhood battle against an upgraded and expanded Masonic Center continues to rage, with talks breaking down Feb. 19 over truck traffic and Mayor Gavin Newsom jumping into the fray in an effort to bring the feuding parties together.

Community groups in the well-heeled Nob Hill district and those hoping to revitalize the 50-year-old building have each retained lawyers and consultants to make their cases.

Live Nation has been operating the venue for the past year and the Masons of California hope to ink a long-term lease with the promoter, which would in turn give the classic building a $5 million to $6 million makeover including improved lighting and sound systems, concessions, seating and other amenities.

What neighbors primarily oppose is the idea of up to 70 concerts per year in their neighborhood and as many dates with trucks loading in and out in front of the Masonic Center, which is across the street from Grace Cathedral and Huntington Park.

Live Nation offered more than 40 conditions to mitigate those concerns, including increased security and neighborhood trash pick-ups. Opponents remain unmoved.

“We’re in this for the long haul,” 30-year resident Stephen Gomez told the San Francisco Chronicle. He and one coalition of neighbors told the paper they’re not opposed to concerts – just the number of them. But others reportedly oppose the Masons leasing the building to Live Nation under any conditions.

One such hardliner under the name “Protect Nob Hill” says on its Web site that it intends to “prevent Live Nation from producing concerts at the Masonic Auditorium.” Its slogan is: “You deserve a good night sleep. Don’t let Live Nation take it away.”

Live Nation SF chief Lee Smith expressed his frustration – and hinted at a case of NIMBYism – to the Chronicle.

“This isn’t sleepytown USA,” Smith said. “I’ve met with some of these people, and when the cable car is going by, I can’t hear what they’re saying.”

But at least Gomez and his coalition suggest compromise is still possible.

“If you do things cleverly and you plan accordingly, you can address a lot of this stuff,” Gomez told the paper. But negotiators apparently haven’t been clever enough to break the stalemate. Mayor Newsom enlisted S.F. economic development chief Michael Cohen to try to broker a compromise, but the effort has stalled.

The combatants appeared to be headed for a showdown before the city’s planning commission in late February after press time.

Any decision is likely to be appealed to the Board of Supervisors regardless of outcome.