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Entertainment Commission conditionally grants permits for Figma conference, Valencia Live and Downtown First Thursdays
Summary
The commission approved a consent agenda and three regular-agenda outdoor entertainment permits, set special sound limits for downtown events and recorded a recusal for the Figma Config 2025 permit.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted to approve several permit applications on the consent and regular agendas, conditionally granting temporary and recurring outdoor entertainment permits and recording public-safety and sound management conditions.
Commission Secretary Liang introduced two consent items (both limited live performance permits for indoor entertainment). The commission moved and approved the consent agenda with the staff recommendations; roll-call responses in the record show the five commissioners present voted aye.
On the regular agenda the commission considered and approved three one-time or recurring outdoor event permits:
- Figma Config 2025 (one-time outdoor event with extended duration, George P. Johnson as organizer): The event is scheduled Monday, May 5 through Thursday, May 8, 2025, with an SFMTA street closure on Howard Street between Third and Fourth Streets. Staff materials estimate "10,000 plus attendees" to Moscone Center and surrounding areas. Brad Kurtz, permit and transportation manager for George P. Johnson, told the commission the closure will include a small stage and that the applicant had coordinated with SFPD and neighborhood stakeholders; he also noted that the Wednesday night activation was reduced from 9:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Commissioner Perez recused from this item because of a stated conflict; the commissioners voting on the record said "aye," and the permit was conditionally granted. The record directs follow-up with commission staff for next steps.
- Valencia Live (Into the Streets): A proposed new monthly activation on Valencia Street between 16th and 19th streets on second Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., beginning May 8, 2025 and continuing through December 2025. The application included neighborhood outreach; staff reported Mission Station did not provide additional recommendations within the response window. Javier Sanchez of Into the Streets said the event will include three busking/performance areas and a block captain and radio communications plan for on-site response to noise or other complaints. The commission approved the permit with staff conditions.
- Downtown First Thursdays (Into the Streets): A continuation of a downtown monthly street series, running from May 2025 through April 2026 with multiple stage locations (Second and Howard; New Montgomery and Mena; Jesse and Second Street; and adjacent to 90 Natoma and the Salesforce Transit Center). Staff noted one letter of support, one emailed comment in favor, and six noise complaints received since last year; staff recommended and Inspector Zavrina set a special sound limit for the event to reduce impacts on nearby residents. Javier Sanchez said the event had been "very well received overall" but acknowledged some neighbors remained concerned. The commission approved the permit with the good-neighbor policy and the listed staff conditions.
Other business: The senior inspector reported 41 complaints received since the April 1 hearing but said there were no enforcement actions to report.
Why it matters: The permits enable higher-profile, recurring and one-time entertainment activations in core commercial corridors and around Moscone Center, while the commission attached sound-management and security conditions and a process for follow-up with staff and public-safety partners.
