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Commission approves August Hall/Fifth Arrow permit with police conditions
Summary
The Entertainment Commission approved a place-of-entertainment permit for August Hall and Fifth Arrow at the former Ruby Sky, requiring LEAD-trained staff, a calendar of extended-hour events for Central Station, and continued coordination on sound mitigation.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Dec. 5 approved a permit for August Hall and an adjoining downstairs venue, Fifth Arrow, at the former Ruby Sky site, requiring the operator to meet police-recommended conditions intended to limit public-safety and noise risks.
Nate Valentine, the applicant, told the commission the project will reopen the long-standing entertainment venue with a new sound system, acoustical treatments and an externally monitored limiter. "We've spent a tremendous amount of money, working with Salter, as well as on the acoustical treatments for the room as a whole," Valentine said, adding the team mailed notices to neighbors within 500 feet and hosted a neighborhood meeting.
Officer Steve Matthias of Central Station said police reviewed the applicants' safety plan and recommended approval with conditions, including that all employees be LEAD-trained and that the operator provide Central Station a calendar of special events when extended hours are used. "If you're gonna have a band, just let us know," Matthias said, explaining the calendar helps officers prepare for district activity.
Commissioners asked about ventilation and windowed rooms that open onto Mason Street; Valentine said the venue will not use open windows in the second-floor meet-and-greet/cocktail room and that mechanical ventilation (a 7-ton AC) and acoustic curtains were part of the mitigation plan. Salter acoustical work and further coordination on sound measurements were offered as follow-up.
The commission recorded a voice vote with Commissioners Lee, Camino and Perez and Vice President Thomas voting aye and approved the permit with the stated police conditions. The decision includes continued monitoring and staff coordination to ensure conditions are met as the venue begins operations.
The permit approval was presented as part of a broader agenda that included related development reviews for nearby properties; commissioners said they expected continued collaboration between venue operators and the developers to minimize potential conflicts as both new hotels and live-venue operations begin regular service.
