Commission approves Intermission’s place-of-entertainment permit with police conditions

The Entertainment Commission approved a place-of-entertainment permit for Intermission, the new operator at 2050 Bryant Street formerly known as CellSpace, with the commission’s Good Neighbor policy and Mission Station’s police conditions (the commission struck one condition judged redundant).

Applicants Eric Reed and Michael Gaines described a multi-year effort to bring the venue into compliance, including meetings with police and the fire department, community programming and partnerships with nonprofits. Gaines said the venue aims to host live bands, cabaret and community classes and had installed acoustic curtains and other mitigation: “I brought in ... heavy velvet curtains ... they do wonders for the acoustics in the venue,” he said.

Mission Station and staff flagged a history at the site under prior ownership that included unpermitted alcohol and promoter-driven events. Officer Gary Buckner said the station remains cautious about third-party promoters and reported the captain has discouraged issuing ABC one-day permits at the address until the venue demonstrates transparency. The commission adopted police-suggested conditions to verify promoters and insurance, while removing a condition the commission found redundant with the Good Neighbor policy.

Commissioners also questioned occupancy and life-safety measures: applicants reported a venue capacity of 298 and said they are pursuing fire-sprinkler upgrades and a third egress as needed. The approval included a requirement that applicants maintain required permits and coordinate with Mission Station on special events; the motion passed on a recorded vote.

The commission framed the decision as conditional: the permit was granted with explicit police conditions and the expectation of ongoing cooperation with the police and fire departments. Staff will monitor compliance and coordinate with Mission Station on ABC 1-day permit issuance at the address.