Features
SF Masonic Battle Ends
Live Nation and San Francisco’s Nob Hill neighborhood associations, which have battled for five years over a Masonic Center rehab and plans for more concerts, have settled their differences and inked a 20-year binding agreement on the venue’s use.
Peace comes with a price in the form of concessions from Live Nation. The promoter will be allowed to stage no more than 54 concerts and 25 “comedy/cultural events” a year at the roughly 3,000-capacity hall. In return, Live Nation will limit alcohol service, and fund school music programs and a children’s playground at a park across the street, according to the San Francisco Examiner.
The Nob Hill Coalition and Nob Hill Association fought the original plan by Live Nation to host up to 95 concerts and open 11 alcohol stands in the complex. They filed suit to stop the project when San Francisco’s Planning Commission approved one version of the plan that included more than 20 Live Nation concessions to the groups.
But both sides are pleased a resolution has been found that seems to satisfy everyone involved, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“I think we’ve had them come down to a more moderate level,” Nob Hill Coalition President Greg Galanos told the paper. “At the same time, I don’t think anyone wanted the Masonic to go dark. That wasn’t in anyone’s interest.”
Live Nation is expected to start construction on the Masonic rehab project as soon as the planning commission gives its final blessing later this year. Construction will start once the commission gives the OK and may take up to eight months to complete, according to the Examiner.