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Commission backs long‑term permit and $10 million stadium improvements at Kezar for Golden City FC
Summary
The commission recommended a long‑term permit for Golden City Football Club at Kezar Stadium and outlined $10 million in planned improvements to field, seating, scoreboards and ADA access; the 15‑year term with options passed after extensive public comment and staff assurances on preserving school and community use and ticketing and fee terms.
The Recreation and Park Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a long‑term permit for Golden City Football Club (GCFC) to use Kezar Stadium, conditioned on a tenant commitment to invest $10 million in stadium improvements and operational plans to protect public access, staff said on May 15.
Dana Ketchum, director of property management, presented the proposal and said the improvements would focus on renovating the turf and irrigation system, upgrading seating and the press box, replacing the scoreboard and improving sound and ADA compliance. "The biggest nut ... is to renovate and redo the field, improve the seating and press box," Ketchum said, adding that turf work should reduce water use by more than half once irrigation is upgraded.
Under the proposed term, GCFC would commit $10 million in upfront or staged investments; the permit term is 15 years with two 5‑year options (the third option requiring agreement). The team would have rights for up to 15 league games per year (not to exceed 20) and must provide operations, transportation and community plans. Staff said Rec and Park would receive standard Kezar permit fees (the report referenced a historical $55,000 figure as a baseline) and—after year 10—10% of ticket revenue above a threshold; permit fees may be credited against the $10 million investment as structured in the term sheet. The department would also receive 38 tickets per season, 30 of which would be reserved for underserved communities.
Public comment included broad support from neighborhood merchants, youth soccer organizers and business owners praising the economic and youth‑development benefits, and also community members who urged stronger protections to avoid displacement of existing amateur and community uses and asked for greater transparency. Kimberly Howley, a District 8 resident who lives across from Kezar, said the proposal "does not do enough to protect fair use for all at Kezar" and urged eliminating exclusivity clauses and preserving neighborhood access.
Commissioners questioned whether practices would limit public access (staff said only light practice the day before games would occur at Kezar), how field rehabilitation would be scheduled to reduce disruption to school and community use, and how the department would use credits and revenues. Staff said the department had experience with a similar earlier arrangement (the Deltas) and expected to coordinate scheduling to preserve community events and school needs.
After extended public comment and commissioner discussion, a motion to recommend approval carried with ayes and no recorded opposition. Staff said the proposal will proceed to the Board of Supervisors for permit approval and that the department will continue outreach with neighborhood stakeholders and partner organizations.
