Supervisor Christina Olague Attempts to Save Gold Dust Lounge from Eviction

By Erin Sherbert Wed., Mar. 14 2012 at 8:40 AM

This round is on Olague

Yesterday, the news hit that the Gold Dust Lounge's landlord was suing the bar owners for not leaving the premises as of March 10, when their lease was up. But it seems Gold Dusters have recovered today with another last-minute victory that could (hopefully) preserve the favored watering hole.

At the regular Board of Supervisors meeting, newly appointed Supervisor Christina Olague proposed a moratorium on conversions in the Union Square district, which would essentially stop Jon Handlery, landlord of the Gold Dust Lounge building, from replacing the bar with a new Express clothing store.

Here's what Olague said:

I think we need an assessment of this important conservation district to determine if tighter controls are necessary to prevent the displacement of locally-owned restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment venues by the highest bidders, or we will risk losing the in the mist that attracts people to shop downtown instead of where they live. What kind of shopping experience will they have when there is nothing left to talk about when they go home, and how much will it cost the city if they stop coming?

Specifically, the supervisor is interested in "landmarking" this building for its cultural history, pointing out that the quirky tourist bar has been a huge contributor to the historic Union Square district and its national landmarks, such as the iconic cable cars. And she should know -- as a member of the city's Planning Commission for the last seven years, Olague is nothing if not pedantic when it comes to city planning and preservation.

"We can hopefully stop the displacement of a contributor ... with yet another national retailer selling goods that can be purchased in any mall in in the city in America."

So it appears Gold Dust Lounge patrons have another reason to hit the bar today and get lit.

"Willie Brown warned Jon Handlery this was coming," Lee Houskeeper, spokesman for the bar told us. "I am pretty sure Christina has the votes."

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Tags:

Gold Dust Lounge, historic landmark, Jon Handlery, save the Gold Dust Lounge, Supervisor Christina Olague, Union Square

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FILLMORE

Psst. Supervisor. Why the hell are you trying to save a crappy, tourist bar that sits outside your district during an election year?

The dime on you is that you are clueless about your constituents, their needs and their priorities. Maybe not as clueless as, say, John Rizzo would be be but that'd be a high bar to beat. Neighborhood folks are snickering that don't even know who's real and who's a joker in the community. Meanwhile, London's working the scene hard, the gal in the Lower Haight is doing her best to own that area, and other folks are making moves on the street and with the shakers.

But you? You got rid of Ross' staff wholesale cutting off vital sources of info and seem to spend your days vacillating between being on the mayor's team and towing the line for the men running the progressive camp. Oh yes, we're all aware that you're going to meetings trying to learn who's who but that's all for naught when people see you take up stupid stuff like saving the Gold Dust. How focusing on Fillmore businesses instead? Or the Haights? Or crime prevention? Or getting local kids jobs.

Wanna hold your seat through this election? Here's a hint - STAY ENTIRELY FOCUSED ON DISTRICT 5 AND NEVER LEAVE OR TAKE A PROMINENT ROLE ON ANYTHING OUTSIDE YOUR DISTRICT UNTIL THE SECOND WEEK IN NOVEMBER.

Sincerely,A Hopeful Fan

Sherminater

This is yet another example of too much government control and the board of Stups being over intrusive. Where does it stop. Why is it they get to tell you a private citizen what you can or can"t to with your own property. And as for not coming. Hey guess what you have made it so difficult to do business here, big business has stop coming. They are going to emerryville, Berkeley movies with a story lines based in SF are now filmed in Vancover. Like the show Alcatraz. Stop your meddling its ruining SF.

hillarys_new_shoes

Clearly the "Board of Stups" are to blame for the torrent of fragmented sentences in your comment!

Mexxam

May rationality prevail and save the local culture from being ravaged by monopolies of monotony. I hope to return to the area soon and partake of the fun and festive atmosphere found at Gold Dust and other local businesses. Gold Dust is a live souvenir that engenders great memories.

hillarys_new_shoes

LONG LIVE THE GOLD DUST LOUNGE!

Hopefully Mr. Singer (Handlery's hired P.R. person) will find his San Franciscan SOUL and come down to the Historical Landmark that is the Gold Dust Lounge and buy drinks for the bar! Asking for forgiveness while buying the bar drinks using that ill-gotten $500/hr would be a good start.

After all, if he'd succeeded in closing the Gold Dust Lounge for the benefit of John Handlery - no San Franciscan would ever believe another word he spoke, which would be a detriment to someone in the P.R. business, no?