Entertainment Commission approves Midway's "Fresh Start" New Year permit amendment
December 07, 2021 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
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The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on a voice vote approved an amendment to the Midway’s jam permit to permit extended outdoor amplified entertainment for a multi-stage New Year event called Fresh Start. The approval was moved, seconded and recorded as ayes by the commissioners present.
Staff introduced the Midway’s request to allow extended outdoor amplified sound beyond the usual 10 p.m. cutoff for events on Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and Jan. 2. Executive staff said the applicant provided an event narrative, a security plan, proof of neighborhood outreach and a street-closure approval in process; staff recommended approval with the commission’s good-neighbor policy and noted the permit would be conditional on final documentation.
Jordan Langer, speaking for the Midway, said Fresh Start will feature DJs and live performers across two outdoor stages and two indoor stages and that the event “is expecting 6,000 attendees.” He said the event has previously raised food donations for local shelters and emphasized the applicant’s neighborhood outreach and security plans. “We’ve been doing it at Midway since we started,” Langer said, adding the venue will post a hotline number and amplify outreach to neighbors to address real-time sound concerns.
Commissioners questioned how sound from the Midway carries into distant neighborhoods; Langer described in-person listening tests and on-site adjustments the venue plans to run during events and said the venue will circulate a hotline on its website and social channels to handle complaints in real time.
A commissioner moved to approve the amendment with the good-neighbor policy; the motion was seconded. Staff noted final street-closure documentation was forthcoming and that approval would be conditional on that paperwork. The motion passed with ayes recorded from President Ben Bridal, Vice President Camino, Commissioner Falzon, Commissioner Lee and Commissioner Thomas.
The commission closed the item after recording next steps for the applicant to coordinate with staff on final permits and public-safety logistics.
Staff introduced the Midway’s request to allow extended outdoor amplified sound beyond the usual 10 p.m. cutoff for events on Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and Jan. 2. Executive staff said the applicant provided an event narrative, a security plan, proof of neighborhood outreach and a street-closure approval in process; staff recommended approval with the commission’s good-neighbor policy and noted the permit would be conditional on final documentation.
Jordan Langer, speaking for the Midway, said Fresh Start will feature DJs and live performers across two outdoor stages and two indoor stages and that the event “is expecting 6,000 attendees.” He said the event has previously raised food donations for local shelters and emphasized the applicant’s neighborhood outreach and security plans. “We’ve been doing it at Midway since we started,” Langer said, adding the venue will post a hotline number and amplify outreach to neighbors to address real-time sound concerns.
Commissioners questioned how sound from the Midway carries into distant neighborhoods; Langer described in-person listening tests and on-site adjustments the venue plans to run during events and said the venue will circulate a hotline on its website and social channels to handle complaints in real time.
A commissioner moved to approve the amendment with the good-neighbor policy; the motion was seconded. Staff noted final street-closure documentation was forthcoming and that approval would be conditional on that paperwork. The motion passed with ayes recorded from President Ben Bridal, Vice President Camino, Commissioner Falzon, Commissioner Lee and Commissioner Thomas.
The commission closed the item after recording next steps for the applicant to coordinate with staff on final permits and public-safety logistics.
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