Frequently Asked Questions
How many events are proposed? Will there be more concerts?
The number of total events is not likely to increase. If there is a change in numbers, the total number of event days is likely to decrease from the several years’ average of 245. Live Nation expects to have approximately 70 concerts and 70 special events.
How can you minimize noise from loading and unloading?
Live Nation plans to provide permanent, state-of-the-art, sound and lighting systems at the Masonic Center so performers can minimize the amount of equipment they need to bring into the building for each show. Further, with only one company in charge of the food and beverage service, the amount of catering equipment needed to be loaded and unloaded will be significantly reduced.
A resilient surface material will be placed on truck ramps, pavement, and the access ramp on California Street to ensure that the path from truck to building and back will be equipped to provide maximum sound absorption from the street into the building.
Why can’t you load all equipment through the Pine Street loading dock?
Although the Pine Street loading dock will be used for all food and beverage deliveries, it is not a viable option for performance equipment loading and unloading for a few reasons. First, the Pine Street loading dock is too short to accommodate the size of modern trucks that carry the equipment. Second, the freight elevator at Pine Street does not provide access to the Auditorium floor and cannot be modified to do so without destroying significant historic characteristics of the building.
How will you address traffic issues on California?
Pre-paid parking will be offered through both the California and the Pine Street entrances to guests who purchase it from Live Nation’s website in advance of shows. The California Street entrance ramp will be modified to add an additional inbound lane to move as many cars as possible off California Street and into the garage. Traffic staffing and direction inside the garage will be enhanced to quickly direct cars to open parking spaces and reduce queuing on California Street.
How can you prevent bus idling and minimize bus noise?
Performers at venues the size of the Masonic Center typically travel in tour buses that need to be parked adjacent to venue for the day of the show. Electric shore power will be installed on the south side of California Street. These event buses will be required to connect into the shore power to ensure the quiet and clean powering of these vehicles. No engine idling will be allowed.
What are “special events” vs concerts?
Special events are private events held in the Auditorium, California Room or Exhibition Hall. These include events such as Naturalization Ceremonies, graduations, banquets and weddings.
What types of concerts will Live Nation produce at the Masonic?
Live Nation will produce shows at the Masonic appropriate for a mid-sized venue in a mixed-use urban neighborhood. Live Nation operates many venues in the Bay Area, ranging from Shoreline Amphitheatre, The Fillmore, The Concord Pavilion, the Mountain Winery, the Montalvo Arts Center, and two comedy clubs - Cobb’s and the Punch Line. Live Nation presents a wide variety of entertainment, including rock, blues, jazz, country, or pop concerts, as well as the World’s best comedians. It is this unparalleled experience that allows Live Nation to understand what events are a correct match for each venue and neighborhood.
What permits are necessary for Live Nation to manage the Masonic?
Live Nation is already managing events at the Masonic, and because the Masonic has operated for over 50 years as an entertainment venue, no City or other permits are needed for its continued operation. To improve the facility, the Masonic is seeking a building permit to upgrade the auditorium and kitchen and a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission to add permanent food and beverage service for guests at our shows, rather than relying on different caterer for each event, as now occurs.
Will there be disabled access and seating?
Yes. Live Nation works with a consultant who specializes in the American with Disabilities Act to ensure that all venues are accessible. The Masonic Center has disabled access to enter the building in multiple locations – the elevator from the parking garage, the access ramp on California Street, and elevators into the California Room and the Exhibition Hall. The Auditorium will have designated seating in each price level for our Guests with Disabilities.
Can you explain the different arrangements of the floor since you are removing the seats?
Removing the fixed seating and turning the graded floor in the auditorium into three distinct tiers will allow for a wider variety of events from intimate gatherings, trade shows and business meetings, to general admission, seated, or cabaret style concerts by world renowned artists. This flexibility will create the opportunity for a number of configurations that are currently infeasible in the auditorium, from classroom style, to cabaret, to general admission or reserved seating, accommodating concerts, live theater, lectures, comedians and more. The fixed seats in the balcony will remain.
When will you use the SF Police Department?
Live Nation and the Masonic Center are working closely with the San Francisco Police Department to ensure that all events run smoothly and do not cause disturbances to the neighborhood, and that each specific event is staffed appropriately, generally including SFPD personnel.
Will you keep the partnership with SF Jazz?
Yes, SF Jazz will continue to host performances at the Masonic Center.
How long is Live Nation’s contract with the Masonic?
Live Nation has signed a long-term contract with the Masons. While the specific terms of the lease cannot be disclosed, neighbors who worry about Live Nation making changes to the venue and then leaving the neighborhood can be assured that this is a long term investment for Live Nation and the lease is for at least ten years.
Is there a back stage?
Yes. The proposed plans include upgrading the backstage area.
Where will buses park?
An average musical performance event at the Masonic Center may require two performer buses, while many shows have none. These vehicles will park in front of the Masonic Center to minimize conflicts with the 1177 California Street driveway and cross traffic onto California Street. Buses will not park on California Street overnight. Further, no engine idling or running of generators by any bus or truck (wherever parked) will be permitted for any purpose, including during loading and unloading operations. We are also exploring use of the existing bus parking zone on the north side of California Street for some performer bus parking.
Will the flooring in the auditorium come out?
Yes, the flooring of the auditorium will be removed in order to create the three different leveled tiers.
How long will it take to renovate?
Once Live Nations receives the approvals necessary to move forward, construction will take approximately four months.
Is the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium the same size?
The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is twice the size as the Masonic Center with a capacity of 7,000. The Masonic is about the size of the recently opened Fox Theater in Oakland and slightly larger than the Warfield Theater on Market Street.
How will lines/crowds be managed for a general admission event to prevent loitering in the streets and sidewalk?
Live Nation will open the doors to most events sixty minutes prior to the start time of the event. Doors to the lobby will open earlier than sixty minutes if a line starts to form, at which point, Live Nation will queue the line on the Northeast smoking patio, off the sidewalk and local streets.
Are you able to add the vents and ducts for the kitchen through the existing structure?
Yes. Vents will be upgraded to meet all current air quality and noise control standards.