By Luz Pena • May 22, 2019

Dave Chappelle joined comedians and politicians at San Francisco City Hall on Tuesday to try to save the Punch Line comedy club, which has its lease expiring in August.

The club, located in the Financial District at 444 Battery St., will be displaced by Google after spending more than 40 years in its current location unless legislation is passed to conserve it.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin announced his three-fold plan to protect the club.

First, he is introducing legislation to the Board for an "interim zoning moratorium" that would prevent the conversion of spaces zoned for entertainment use to any other use.

Second, he plans to begin talks with Google, and lastly he has nominated Punch Line as a legacy business, which would entitle it to financial benefits from the city.

Although the club is owned by Live Nation Entertainment, which runs many venues across the country, its comedians said it has retained a 'Mom and Pop' feel as well as provided a mental health service to residents and an economic boost to the city.