Author: Alfredo Casuso

Contact: Mayor’s Press Office, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org

San Francisco Mayor Breed Proposes Creation of First Downtown Entertainment Zone and Announces Grants to Support Downtown Events

Proposed legislation will enable local restaurants and bars to participate in beverage sales during outdoor events and activations 

New grant program will fund entertainment and other revitalization projects  

3 May 2024 – San Francisco, CA: Today, San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed joined Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), the Office of Economic Workforce and Development (OEWD), business and community leaders to announce new legislation that will create San Francisco’s first “entertainment zone” in Downtown, which will allow restaurants and bars to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption during outdoor events and activations.  

The legislation establishes a framework for the designation of future entertainment zones, revises local open container laws to permit the operation of these zones, and designates Front Street, between California Street and Sacramento Street, as the City’s first entertainment zone. San Francisco was authorized to create entertainment zones under SB 76, authored by Senator Wiener. If approved, this zone will allow local bars and restaurants to operate and sell alcoholic beverages as part of organized outdoor events that take place on this block.  

To support activations in entertainment zones and throughout Downtown, Mayor Breed has also directed the Office of Economic and Workforce Development to partner with San Francisco New Deal to launch the Downtown ENRG (Entertainment & Nightlife Revitalization Grant) Program, a program that will offer up to $50,000 to fund new economic revitalization projects to support new activities, events, and campaigns to attract patrons and increase downtown activity. 

“San Francisco’s Downtown is seeing a new surge of excitement, and we are thrilled to be the first city in California to take advantage of this new law to bring opportunities that foster joy for our residents, workers and visitors,” said Mayor London Breed. “I want to thank Senator Wiener for creating opportunities to bring more energy to our Downtown and his unwavering commitment to bettering our City. As we continue to do the work, our goal is to encourage more fun and accessible outdoor community events. Our message is clear: San Francisco is having fun, thriving and open for business.”

“Activating our streets with fun, community events is a powerful tool to accelerate downtown recovery,” said Senator Wiener, author of SB 76. “I authored SB 76 to empower San Francisco to create street vibrancy, particularly downtown. This new entertainment zone does exactly that, in addition to dovetailing with the rest of Mayor Breed’s comprehensive plan to give people more reasons to come downtown.”

“Creating spaces where residents and visitors can come together and enjoy art, culture, and outdoor entertainment is a critical part of our work to revitalize and transform our Downtown,” said Sarah Dennis Phillips, Executive Director of the Office of the Economic and Workforce Development. “I am excited about the future of Downtown, including the Entertainment and Nightlife Revitalization Grant Program, which will help our local bars and restaurants thrive and be successful in new ways. It’s time we get more creative with how we bring fun, excitement, and vibrancy to our neighborhoods, this legislation and grant program are steps in the right direction.”

San Francisco’s First Entertainment Zone

San Francisco’s proposed Entertainment Zones build off of Senate Bill (SB) 76, introduced by Senator Wiener and passed at the California Legislature last year. The Entertainment Zone Act paved the way for San Francisco – the only city in California currently – to designate entertainment zones to operate during special events permitted by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Under the bill, San Francisco could establish entertainment zones through the adoption of a local ordinance by the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors.  

Mayor Breed’s legislation would enable three bars along Front Street (Schroeder’s, Harrington’s, and Royal Exchange) to sell open beverages for consumption during special events in the zone. These bars, along with the Downtown SF Partnership and BOMA, are working to launch a new recurring street closure on this block that could involve live entertainment and other activities during the zone’s operation. Similar programs have been successful in supporting small businesses and commercial districts in a number of other states, including Michigan, Ohio, and North Carolina.  

“San Francisco’s local bars and restaurants are an important part of what makes this city unique, fun, and captivating,” said Ben Bleiman, Owner of Harrington’s Bar & Grill and President of the Entertainment Commission. “Seeing small businesses like ours working together on our block to organize new activities and events that will attract people to our local spots is a major milestone. We are telling residents, visitors, and businesses that we are ready to see Downtown San Francisco activated with exciting public spaces because when people have fun it benefits local businesses, Downtown, and the entire city.”

“Downtown San Francisco needs a nightlife renaissance post-pandemic. Launching California’s first ever entertainment zone on Front Street is significant and will catalyze more reasons to come downtown,” said Robbie Silver, Executive Director of the Downtown SF Partnership. “Rethinking the use of public space by opening streets for pedestrians is a proven economic strategy to reinvigorate downtown. The Downtown SF Partnership will optimize Front Street with fun programming, building off its signature activations like Let’s Glow SF, Drag Me Downtown, and Landing at Leidesdorff.”

Mayor Breed’s legislation will be introduced at the next Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 7th.  

Downtown ENRG (Entertainment & Nightlife Revitalization Grant)

The arts, culture, nightlife and entertainment sectors play critical roles in the transformation of San Francisco downtown and in commercial corridors citywide by delivering unique experiences that attract residents, workers, and visitors.  

Qualifying projects for the grant program could include unique and expanded live performance programming at downtown venues, outdoor events connected to adjacent businesses, the establishment or operation of “entertainment zones”, and new festivals that occur across multiple venues, among other ideas.  Eligible program expenses include permitting costs, planning expenses, marketing material and design, event coordination, food & beverage, artists stipends, equipment, and on-site staff.  

To maximize impact, priority will be given to projects involving collaboration between multiple existing businesses to attract patrons to a corridor and projects or campaigns in Mid-Market, Civic Center, Tenderloin, SoMa, the Financial District, Union Square, or Yerba Buena.

“Nightlife and entertainment venues are vital businesses that contribute immensely to the culture and identity of San Francisco. Investing in their success is critical to fostering vibrancy in our city. Downtown ENRG is set to redefine the future of our downtown district as a diverse, creative, and vibrant destination,” said Simon Bertrang, Executive Director of SF New Deal.

The application for the Downtown ENRG grant is now open. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications submitted before June 15, 2024. To learn more, please visit www.sfnewdeal.org/ENRG.

Entertainment Drives Revitalization

The creation of entertainment zones and grants program are components of the Mayor’s Roadmap to San Francisco’s Future, and build on a series of recently announced entertainment initiatives designed to showcase and support the San Francisco music and entertainment sector, boost neighborhood vitality, activate open spaces and enhance the City’s economic revitalization through arts and culture. Combined, the goal is to secure an important new source of revenue to boost San Francisco restaurants and bars while transforming Downtown as a 24/7 destination.  

Last month, Mayor Breed announced the City’s new SF Live Concert Series, which debuts on May 4 at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell. Additional events will take place across May and June at Fulton Plaza, Union Square, and the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, and at locations citywide through November. More information about all upcoming SF Live events may be found at www.sflivefest.com. Other economic activations, including Vacant to Vibrant which will announce its second cohort later this month, and Bhangra and Beats, will soon kickoff its second series of outdoor events.  

May 3 Internationally Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter Denise Marsa Releases ‘Rainbow Until Dawn Remix’  Leading Up to The Release of Her Album ‘PIVOTAL’

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Matt Skallerud / (323) 963-3653 / Matt@Pinkmedia.lgbt
David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

“the entrancing addition to Denise Marsa’s growing discography of decadent pop treasures.” – Music Existence

“her incredible singing abilities make it an essential acquisition for pop aficionados” – Indie Pulse Music 

“you’ll be drawn in by the 80s style synths, alongside a pounding drumbeat and soaring guitar solos. Marsa’s powerhouse vocals take centre stage, pulling us in and refusing to let us go.” – Essentially Pop

3 May 2024 – New York City:  Following the release of the highly successful and magnetic first single from her forthcoming album ‘PIVOTAL’ internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter, Denise Marsa announces the release of her next single ‘Rainbow Until Dawn Remix’.

Rainbows have been a popular subject with songwriters, as they are a wondrous, almost mystical optical phenomenon, and it’s easy to be awestruck when you see one, no matter what age you are. ‘Rainbow Until Dawn Remix’ is an uplifting anthem about love and surrendering yourself to the present moment. Denise sings about embracing those around you and appreciating the magicbehind the commonalities that we come across in our daily life. With its infectious melody and heartfelt lyrics, she reminds us that after a storm you just might witness a rainbow.

As you listen to ’Rainbow Until Dawn Remix’, from the first note you are entirely at the whim of Denise’s enchanting vocals and the groovy backtrack. As the song builds, you build alongside it, content to ride the wave with Denise as she takes you on a ride over the course of the recording which could be a metaphor for her seasoned career. With the lyrics in the bridge, one wants to stand up and yell “Brava!” for the complex yet simple intentions of the song, “Listen to the words of the greatest poets that ever walked this earth. Love has always been the greatest inspiration on this earth.”

Denise Marsa’s distinctive vocal prowess, combined with her emotive songwriting, shines brightly in ‘Rainbow Until Dawn Remix’ creating a musical experience that is both soul-stirring and inspiring. Backed by lush instrumentation and dynamic production, this indie pop electro dance single continues to showcase her evolution as an artist while staying true to her signature style. Her listeners are anticipating the release of ‘PIVOTAL,’ which will be available on all streaming platforms on June 14^th. Scheduled to drop via her label KeyMedia Group, the album promises to be one of her most electrifying works yet, taking listeners through a musical passage of self-discovery and genre-free songwriting. 

Denise is an advocate for all love and draws no line in the sand when it comes to us all being equal and loving who we love. Her work in music and in the arts led her to start her own public relations firm KeyMedia Public Relations, and in 2008 her company worked with the West Hollywood Visibility Committee to promote The Etheridge Award, honoring the work of Sheila Kuehl. Kuehl, is a former Hollywood child star and was California’s first openly gay state legislator, having previously served in the California State Senate and the California State Assembly, where she was the Assembly’s first female speaker pro tem.

Denise invites fans and music enthusiasts alike to listen to‘Rainbow Until Dawn Remix’; with its captivating melody and lyrics, the song is set to be a universal hit for listeners from all walks of life. ‘Rainbow Until Dawn Remix’ will be available on all streaming platforms on May 3rd, with the extended club version releasing May 10.

To stay updated on Denise Marsa’s latest releases and upcoming projects, visit her official website at denisemarsamusic.com

Contact: Mayor’s Press Office, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org  

Mayor Breed Proposed Bond to Support A Healthy, Vibrant San Francisco

November ballot measure would deliver key health infrastructure, expand family shelter, support street safety and road repaving, and improve public spaces to revitalize San Francisco  

29 April 2024 – San Francisco, CA: Today Mayor London N. Breed released her plans for a bond for the November ballot that will support a healthy, vibrant San Francisco. The bond would fund key health and shelter infrastructure, street safety and road repaving, and public space improvements across San Francisco.    

As proposed by Mayor Breed, the $360 million bond funding would be spread across four main categories:  

• Strengthening public health infrastructure projects like Zuckerberg San Francisco General, Laguna Honda Hospital and Chinatown Health Clinic  
• Investing in shelter and housing for homeless families  
• Delivering street safety improvements and road repaving citywide  
• Supporting public space improvements projects, like Harvey Milk Plaza, Hallidie Plaza, and more 

“We are working every day to make San Francisco a vibrant and healthy city,” said Mayor London Breed. “This bond will invest in our critical infrastructure and advance projects that create jobs and prioritize important civic needs. It will create safer streets and smoother roads, deliver welcoming and vibrant plazas and public spaces, support families, and strengthen our public health institutions that serve all of our residents. This is how we build a stronger, thriving San Francisco.” 

The Bond is currently before the City’s Capital Planning Committee. Once approved by Capital Planning, the Mayor would then introduce it at the Board of Supervisors, where it would need eight votes for approval. If approved by the Board, it will go on the ballot where it will need two-thirds approval.    

Expanding and Strengthening Public Health  

The bond will invest $167 million in ensuring safe, resilient, and accessible public health infrastructure. This includes renovating and expanding the Chinatown Health Clinic, which has more than 10,000 patient visits annually being served in a culturally competent manner, 80% of whom speak Cantonese, Mandarin, or Toishanese as a primary language. It will include retrofitting and making critical repairs to Zuckerberg General Hospital (ZSFG) and Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH), the City’s two largest public health institutions. This would add 65,000 square feet of seismically safe space at ZSFG, increase capacity at Psychiatric Emergency Services, and help ensure recertification at LHH.    

Supporting Homeless Families  

The bond will invest $50 million in ending family homelessness. San Francisco currently provides over 330 units in family shelter and transitional housing and over 2,300 units of family housing in the Homelessness Response System. The bond will dedicate funding to address the increasing need for family housing and shelter, including potential site acquisition or renovation.  

Delivering Street Safety and Road Repaving  

The bond will invest $70 million in our street infrastructure by delivering street safety projects and road repaving. It will dedicate funding to improve street and sidewalk design and improvements for safe streets, including safer crosswalks, sidewalks, and road safety, and funding for road repaving.  It will provide additional funding for traffic safety and road design improvements, such as intersection improvements at Sloat Blvd to improve traffic circulation after the Great Highway Extension closure while ensuring safer access to San Francisco Zoo.    

Revitalizing Public Spaces  

The bond will invest in making improvements to San Francisco’s civic spaces that are enjoyed by all and provide welcoming gathering spaces for the public. This will include investing $25 million in the renovation of Harvey Milk Plaza, which includes improvements to the terrace, accessibility improvements, and security upgrades at the transit facilities.  It will fund improvement to Downtown public spaces, including work at Hallidie plaza to improve the plaza and repair the elevator.  

Support for the Mayor’s Proposed Bond 

“Our mission is to fund and support patient care and innovation at ZSFG because we believe in health equity and care for all,” said Kim Meredith, CEO San Francisco General Hospital Foundation. “This bond supports our commitment to those values by providing for seismic upgrades, critical repairs and much needed renovations to deliver quality care at ZSFG for all San Franciscans. We are incredibly fortunate to be in a city that believes in public health, which has made ZSFG a national model.” 

“Self Help for the Elderly has been a close partner with the Chinatown Public Health Center since the Lady Shaw Senior Center opened in 1990 and fully supports the need to rebuild the Chinatown Public Health Center,” said Anni Chung, President and CEO of Self Help for the Elderly. “It is important to rebuild this center to continue providing the culturally and linguistically competent medical and health services to our monolingual seniors and immigrant families in the AAPI community.”  

“Chinatown Public Health Center has provided crucial medical and public health services to our local Chinese American and AAPI communities for decades,” said Sarah Wan, Executive Director of the Community Youth Center of San Francisco. “Our community needs a state-of-the-art medical center to fully meet the growing needs to provide health care services for the next generation of our youth, families, and growing AAPI senior population in San Francisco.” 

“My mother was simply crossing the street when she was hit by a speeding driver at a dangerous intersection in 2011,” said Jenny Yu, Founding Member of SF Bay Area Families for Safe Streets. “She suffers from severe brain injuries and has required 24-hour care since her crash. Our City desperately needs more resources to fix dangerous streets so we’re all safe crossing the street – and this bond with $70 million for Vision Zero projects is crucial.” 

“Creating safe and joyful streets will help revitalize our neighborhoods and make our City more welcoming for kids and families,” said Robin Pam, Parent Organizer with Kid Safe. “I want to thank the Mayor for her leadership on this critical issue. 

 ”As a worldwide ambassador for San Francisco and our values, Harvey is the ideal person to be celebrated by our city, and in our city,” said Cleve Jones, an LGBT Human Rights Activist and founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. “This bond measure will make possible the Memorial at Harvey Milk Plaza, so that it can be a beacon to others all over the world; its very existence will give hope to people who need it. And it is my hope that it inspires others all across the world to become a hero in their own communities, because the world needs a lot more people like my friend, Harvey Milk.” 

“As a small business owner on Powell Street who depends on walk-in traffic, these potential investments in the public realm downtown are very heartening,” said Lauren Ellis, owner of CK Contemporary Gallery. “I look forward to beautification, pedestrian safety and a general upswing in the environment downtown!” 

“Powell Street stands as the crown jewel of Union Square, a vibrant entryway to San Francisco for countless travelers,” said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance. “With all roads converging here and the iconic cable car traversing its path, it embodies the essence of our city’s allure. Through these strategic investments, we envision a rejuvenated district, beckoning visitors and locals to engage in commerce, exploration, and community once more.” 

“As a third-generation hotel owner and operator on Union Square my family has always felt that the visitor experience starts on Powell Street,” said Jon Handlery, President and CEO of the Handlery Hotel. “Investing to recapture the beauty and uniqueness of this gateway entrance to the heart of our downtown will pay dividends for our City for years.” 

“For over 30 years, I’ve managed and leased the Union Square Building, at the corner of Powell & Geary,” said Stephen Brett, Manager, Brett and Company.  “It has never been more critical to revitalize Powell Street.  Powell is the gateway to Union Square and to our City, forming the first impression that so many millions of visitors have.  Whatever we invest now to improve its attractiveness and appeal will pay us back many times over.  Rejuvenating this vital corridor will help return San Francisco to its status as a world class city and premier travel destination.” 

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Contact: Mayor’s Press Office, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org 

San Francisco Mayor Breed Kickstarts Fundraising Efforts to Support Giant Pandas

The Mayor will introduce legislation allowing the Mayor and City agencies to participate in fundraising efforts to cover costs of Giant Pandas in lieu of taxpayer funds 

23 April 2024 – San Francisco, CA:Today, Mayor London N. Breed introduced a resolution at the Board of Supervisors to allow various City departments, including the Recreation and Parks Department, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the San Francisco International Airport, to raise funds from philanthropists and private entities to support the San Francisco Zoo in hosting Giant Pandas from the People’s Republic of China. 

This legislation is a key step in the fundraising process required to welcome the Giant Pandas to the San Francisco Zoo in 2025. No specific timeline for arrival has been determined yet, as it is predicated on the construction or renovation of an enclosure at the SF Zoo. This enclosure will be funded by philanthropic funds, not taxpayer funds. Mayor Breed will lead a fundraising effort, but those efforts cannot commence with any city advocacy until this legislation is passed.  

Costs have not been determined for the enclosure yet, which is still being designed. In May the China National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) will lead a delegation to San Francisco to meet with the Mayor’s Office, San Francisco Zoo, and Zoological Society as immediate next steps. They will discuss the agreement between the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) and the Zoo, and follow-up on procedures the City must adhere to, including determining cost and needs to ensure NFGA and CWCA specifications are met and next steps. 

“Securing the agreement to welcome Giant Pandas to San Francisco was just a first step for us,” said Mayor Breed. “We have a lot of work ahead to raise the funds and build the enclosure at our Zoo that will serve as their home and thrill residents and visitors. We are hitting the ground running in our fundraising efforts and I’m confident we will have strong philanthropic support from the community that is excited to support San Francisco and our new panda friends.” 

The legislation is required because the City’s behested payments ordinance restricts the ability of City officials and staff to solicit funds from philanthropists and other private entities for charitable and governmental purposes.  The law allows for limited waivers to allow City departments to fundraise for specified projects that will serve the public interest. The resolution will provide a temporary exception for departments to fundraise for the sole purpose of bringing pandas to San Francisco using private donations that will be publicly reported.    

Mayor Breed’s resolution will assist SFZS in fundraising to cover the costs of preparing for and maintaining the pandas, including building or renovating a panda enclosure that promotes a safe and thriving environment, and developing staff capacity, without relying on taxpayer funds. The resolution allows for a temporary and limited waiver of restrictions on City departments fundraising in partnerships with private sponsors to raise adequate funding to pay for the lease of giant pandas brought to San Francisco. 

These efforts will enable the City to cost-effectively partner with the private and nonprofit sector, to build on San Francisco’s rich, cultural connections between the City and China and cultivate economic opportunities as part of San Francisco’s revitalization efforts. 

The San Francisco Zoo is owned by the City and County of San Francisco and operated by the nonprofit San Francisco Zoological Society (SFZS). SFZS relies on private donations, admission fees and a limited amount of City funding to administer the Zoo, which is home to over 2,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals, representing more than 250 species. 

On April 19, during her visit to China with a delegation of San Francisco business and civic leaders, Mayor Breed and officials from the China National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) and the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) announced that the San Francisco Zoo had been selected to receive pandas as part of China’s Panda Diplomacy Program.   

As a first step, the Mayor and CWCA signed a Letter of Intent, in which they agreed the San Francisco Zoological Society and the CWCA will partner on the international conservation of giant pandas and work together to bring a pair of leased pandas to the San Francisco Zoo in 2025. Last week, experts and engineers were sent by the NFGA and CWCA to San Francisco to meet with the Zoo and consulted on the design, construction or renovation options for the proposed panda enclosures. Guidance for the Zoo included developing adequate food supply and obtaining the technical expertise and personnel capability necessary to accommodate the pandas.