Arts Commission approves five-year Embarcadero Plaza market manager contract with CMSC

The San Francisco Arts Commission unanimously approved a five-year personal services contract June 3 with Costless Maintenance Services Company, Inc. (dba CMSC) to manage the Embarcadero Plaza arts vendor market.

Senior program staff described the market manager role as the liaison between street artists and city staff, helping with licensing administration under Article 24 of the police code, coordinating relocations for Recreation and Park events, and assisting artists with day-to-day operational needs. Staff said CMSC was the only applicant to the most recent RFP and that the commission and staff are confident in the organization's ability to provide on-site management.

The contract term runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029 and is authorized at an amount not to exceed $182,000. Commissioner Schneier moved to approve the item and Commissioner Hakimi seconded. There was no public comment on the item and the motion carried unanimously.

Commissioners were given background on the street artist program’s origins, which grew from conflicts between merchants and street vendors and has since evolved into a managed licensing program administered by the Arts Commission. Staff noted program officers (Jennifer Atwood and Thanh Hong) now intake and review licenses and an advisory panel meets quarterly to review applications.

Because the action was a contract approval, staff will return with standard procurement documentation and next steps for contract execution and oversight. The contract authorizes the Director of Cultural Affairs to execute the agreement and manage the contract budget within the approved limit.