A new study recommends the city of Sacramento improve its entertainment economy by taking actions such as revamping its permit system, forming a rideshare hub in Midtown and creating guides for venue operators and event organizers.
The study results, which Nighttime Economy Manager Tina Lee-Vogt presented to the City Council on Tuesday, come three months after Sacramento released its Music Census. The census was the first-ever study on the local music economy and the report emphasized a need for more live music performance venues.
While the new Sociable City Assessment includes similar recommendations, Lee-Vogt said it takes a more holistic approach to the city’s social economy compared to the Music Census. The study focuses on Midtown and downtown, but Lee-Vogt said the findings are applicable city-wide
“We know there are opportunities throughout Sacramento where people can go to dine, play and socialize,” Lee-Vogt said.
Two of the assessments’ top recommendations are to create multiple kinds of entertainment permits and a central place for venue operators and event organizers to get help with city paperwork. Both recommendations are similar to ones Mayor Darrell Steinberg made in one of his State of the City events in August.
Sacramento currently offers one type of entertainment venue permit, Lee-Vogt previously told CapRadio. She has said offering different types of permits can open up opportunities, such as allowing brewpubs to host bands for a smaller annual license fee than what a nightclub pays.
The Music Census, which is the foundation of Steinberg’s State of the City recommendations, also suggested Sacramento streamline the entertainment permitting process. Creating a one-stop shop for venue operators to get approval can reduce barriers, both the census and new Sociable City Assessment found.
During the discussion of the assessment on Tuesday, Steinberg offered his help in bringing policy changes to the council for approval before his term ends in December 2024.
“My time is getting short here and this is a big initiative,” Steinberg said. “And I just want to make sure that the changes are made so that we can start realizing the product of the work that you’re doing that’s so important.”
Lee-Vogt said city staff might be able to present proposed changes to city codes in January or February. She needs to work with the City Attorney’s Office on language for policy changes that the council can vote on, she added.
The city has been working on the Sociable City Assessment since January, when it contracted with the Responsible Hospitality Institute. Roughly 100 people participated in the study, including social venue operators, neighborhood associations and music and culture advocates, Lee-Vogt said.
Other recommendations from the assessment include notifying communities on upcoming events, creating a permit for private parking lots near social venues and improving lighting in the central city to increase pedestrian safety.
Overall, Lee-Vogt said the recommendations are a starting point for the Office of Nighttime Economy to implement a plan to ensure the city has a safe and vibrant entertainment economy.
The office is also working with consultants on a storefront study about the social and economic contributions made by dining and entertainment businesses in Midtown and downtown. The office hopes to have the results in early 2024, Lee-Vogt said.
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