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Union Square Alliance to install permanent pillars and speakers after $300,000 in‑kind grant; permit approved
Summary
The commission approved acceptance of a $300,000 in‑kind grant from the Union Square Alliance to install two metal pillars and granted a permit to affix permanent speakers and store supplemental equipment under the plaza to support regular music and events.
The Recreation and Park Commission recommended acceptance of a $300,000 in‑kind grant from the Union Square Alliance and approved a permit allowing installation of two 20‑foot metal pillars with permanently affixed speakers at the Union Square Plaza stage.
Susan Summitt of the department’s partnerships division described the proposal as a way to make amplified performances more accessible and less costly by removing the need to rent and haul temporary sound systems for each event. The project is funded by a grant from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
Property management staff said the permit would allow the Alliance to store larger supplemental speakers in a locked enclosure under the plaza and to operate both the permanently mounted and temporary speakers for permitted events. The permit term will not exceed nine years; the Alliance will be responsible for maintenance and repairs and has pledged to provide a sound engineer for three city‑sponsored events per year at no charge.
Ken Rich of the Union Square Alliance said the installation will make regular programming more feasible and support downtown revitalization by creating more frequent live performances that can draw visitors who spend at local businesses. Commissioners and staff noted the system would be available to department‑permitted users and that the Alliance will charge user fees for private or larger events where additional equipment or a sound engineer are required.
Commissioners voted to approve the grant acceptance and the permit. Staff said the project aims to complete review and installation before the holiday ice rink season and will add a locked storage enclosure under the stage for extra speakers.
