SF supervisors’ panel recommends Folsom entertainment zone

Folsom Street, long associated with the leather and kink communities, is poised to have an entertainment zone. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee unanimously recommended the zone, along with four others in the city, at its meeting April 21.

Entertainment zones, one of which was recently approved by the supervisors for the Castro LGBTQ neighborhood, are seen as a way of encouraging nightlife and economic recovery following the COVID pandemic. They allow restaurants and bars to sell alcoholic beverages to-go, for consumption within the zone, during special events.

Ben Van Houten, director of nightlife initiatives for the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, told the committee that the zones already established have helped in their neighborhoods. He noted that only restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries can sell the to-go beverages, which cannot leave the zone or be brought in to other businesses.

He told committee Chair Supervisor Shamann Walton (District 10), Vice Chair Supervisor Stephen Sherrill (District 2) and committee member gay Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman (District 8) that all of the proposed zones had “strong community engagement.”

Walton indicated that another entertainment zone will soon be proposed for the Bayview.

The Folsom zone would be located on Folsom Street between Seventh and Eighth streets, Hallam Street between Folsom Street and Brush Place, and Langton Street between Folsom Street and Decker Alley. It is in the Leather and LGBTQ Leather Cultural District.

Bob Goldfarb, a gay man who’s executive director of the leather district, told the Bay Area Reporter it is supportive of the entertainment zone.

“It’s created to help the SOMA Nights events,” he said in a phone call. “And to mitigate the impact of the Folsom streetscape construction.”

The Folsom-Howard Streetscape Project, intended to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety on the streets as well as upgrade traffic signals, started last year. The Folsom Street portion of the project is anticipated to finish in 2026, and the Howard Street portion in 2027.

Yet, it has impacted businesses in the area, as a San Francisco Chronicle story noted. The project will provide critical replacement of the 1880s water system and over century-old sewer system. Street safety improvements like two protected bike lanes will also be built spanning almost the entire length of South of Market: Folsom from Second to 11th streets, followed by work on Howard from Fourth to 11th streets, the paper noted.

“We believe it will help create periodic events to help these businesses,” Goldfarb said.

At the rules committee meeting, representatives of SOMA West Community Benefit District spoke in favor of the entertainment zone.

Alex Ludlum, interim executive director of SOMA West, told the supervisors SOMA Nights was created “out of desperation.” Unlike the typical night market, SOMA Nights is geared toward getting people back into local businesses and reminding the city that SOMA is a premiere destination for eating, drinking, and fun, the benefit district’s website states. The events are held the second and fourth Thursday nights.

Chine Emeahara, special events and marketing coordinator for SOMA West, spoke and said, “We are very excited to see the outcome” of the entertainment zone.

In addition to the zone on Folsom, other entertainment zones recommended for approval by the rules committee are located at Pier 39, Ellis Street, Valencia Street, and Yerba Buena Lane, which is referred to as a downtown activation.

Yerba Buena Partnership, formerly the Yerba Buena Community Benefit District, supports the activation. Scott Rowitz, executive director, said the neighborhood is “amazing.”

“Yerba Buena Lane is a perfect example,” he said. “There are eight small businesses there.”

Scott Gentner, president and CEO of Pier 39, also supported the entertainment zone there.

“Tourism plays a vital role in the San Francisco economy,” he said. “This allows us to create events for visitors and locals alike. It will bring much-needed relief to small businesses.”

The Port of San Francisco is collaborating with Pier 39 on the entertainment zone.

There was no opposition to the entertainment zones during public comment.

Gay District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who represents SOMA, stated when the proposal was first announced that the zones are important.

“These new entertainment zones are about bringing joy, energy, and economic vitality back to our neighborhoods,” he stated. “From the heart of downtown on Yerba Buena Lane to the nightlife corridor of Folsom Street in SOMA, we’re creating welcoming spaces that support small businesses, celebrate our culture, and bring people together.”