Neighbors, city supervisors to discuss impact of park events
Nicki Bluhm performs at Outside Lands 2011. Photo: Kristine Mendoza / Ocean Beach Bulletin
On the heels of a report that pegged San Francisco’s income from the Outside Lands music festival at nearly $61 million, city supervisors are gearing up for a hearing Monday about such events in Golden Gate Park.
Officials have been talking about the impact of big park events, in neighborhood meetings and at City Hall, and will continue at Monday’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors Land Use and Economic Development Committee. Supervisors Eric Mar of the Richmond District and Carmen Chu of the Sunset District have been leading the discussion. Their constituents in the neighborhoods adjacent to Golden Gate Park have been concerned about the transportation, parking and noise impacts of big events, as well as how event organizers can better work with those neighborhoods to let residents and businesses know what to expect, and minimize any inconveniences.
Earlier this month, a report by San Francisco State University professor Patrick Tierney stated that the 2011 Outside Lands festival was responsible for $60.6 million in sales in San Francisco, based on the results of an online survey.
The Land Use and Economic Development Committee meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Room 263 at City Hall. The meeting is scheduled to be webcast on SFGTV, and carried on Comcast Cable Channel 26 or 78.
Outside Lands Economic Impact Report – Executive Summary
If you read the economic impact report carefully, it relies on some pretty heady assumptions. It also has no bearing on the quality of life issues experienced by Outer Sunset residents who already deal with inconveniences related to park-based events.
Let’s be honest. In the world of Rec and Park as envisioned by its current director, anyone who is willing to pay can do what they want with the park. The interests of local residents does not matter one bit at City Hall, no matter how much lip service is paid. Nike Marathons, Outside Lands (a night event in a place that historically has had no night events)….as long as there’s $$$ to be made, Rec and Park is happy.