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Council approves Guadalupe Greens festival permit with conditions; event will fundraise for Royal Theater
Summary
Council approved staff recommendations to permit the scaled‑back Guadalupe Greens festival for Sept. 19, 2026, with city costs to be billed to the organizer, layered security, a shuttle/parking plan, insurance naming the city as additional insured, and a commitment to donate $5 per paid ticket (guaranteed $20,000 floor) to the Royal Theater capital campaign.
The council on July 14 authorized staff to execute agreements and approve administrative modifications for the Guadalupe Greens festival — a one‑day, family‑oriented event proposed for Sept. 19 by Route 1 Presents — subject to final permits, security, insurance and traffic plans.
Event organizer Austin presented a scaled‑back plan (5,000 attendees, no on‑site cannabis) and emphasized local vendor prioritization and a fundraising component for the Royal Theater: "$5 from every paid ticket to the Royal Theater with a guaranteed $20,000 floor," he said. Staff and the chief of public safety described a layered public‑safety plan that includes licensed security, an on‑site ambulance, fencing, wristbanded alcohol service under California ABC daily event rules, and coordination with the Guadalupe Police Department.
Council and staff asked for a traffic management plan, assurances about impacts on the Riverview neighborhood and commitments that city costs for police, fire and staff would be billed to the organizer. Chief Cash said the department would support the event if a traffic and parking plan is approved and emphasized public‑safety coordination. Several residents and representatives of the Royal Theater capital campaign spoke in favor, saying the event would support local businesses and the theater campaign.
The council approved items b and c (special‑event permit subject to conditions; authorize the city administrator to execute agreements and approve minor administrative modifications) after a motion and second. Staff will post plans on the city website once final traffic and security plans are accepted.
Organizer commitments in the hearing: 5,000 expected maximum; 1,400 vehicles anticipated at scale, free shuttle proposed; $5/ticket donation to theater with $20,000 guaranteed minimum; event to cost the city nothing if organizer fulfills billing for city services.
The council requested staff return with a traffic management report and asked the organizer to hold an open house for directly affected Riverview residents.
