Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Rumblings About the Noise

As expected, a group of people who live near the Stadium have organized to complain, this time mostly about the noise levels. It's gotten some coverage from local papers and today The NY Times chimes in: As Concerts Return to Forest Hills Stadium, So Do Complaints

I really like this part:
Some residents have begun a group, Concerned Citizens of Forest Hills, to protect their quality of life as well as their property values, which they fear are diminishing. 
I wonder if they factor into those property values how the concerts:

1) Have put Forest Hills on the map again? They've given the neighborhood marvelous free publicity, something it lost when the last concerts ended and the US Open moved away.
2) How the thousands of concert-goers that visit with each show patronize local restaurants and bars, doing wonders for all of these local businesses? Just look at all the empty store fronts on Austin and you can see how much more work needs to be done in that regard. These concerts have been a blessing for many of the establishments that have opened here recently. Have you seen the crowds outside Banter after a concert?
3) How the thousands of concert-goers who visit leave with a positive impression of our neighborhood. I've personally overheard concert-goers asking local residents things like "So how long does it take to get to Manhattan from here?" as they consider it might be a cool place to live. Again, something that only drives up property values.

Also, speaking to just Forest Hills residents now, isn't it really cool to be able to walk from your homes to a music concert and then walk home again? I've done it, and it's pretty darn awesome.

So... can you deal with a little extra noise for a few hours every several weeks during the summer to help your neighborhood thrive? Really? I mean, they always end by 10 p.m. and most have not been on school nights. And, in the long run, if you really, really think about it, you probably gain a lot too from these concerts by having an improving neighborhood with more restaurants, bars and stores to enjoy. 

45 comments:

  1. Been great for me and I live on Burns street. It's sorta like a block party with free music.

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  2. I live on Harrow and honestly, barely hear anything. Only on occasion do I hear a couple of short volume bursts earlier in the day during what I presume to be sound checks. During Lil Wayne, I went outside and was greeted by stone silence...not even the hint of a subwoofer. The Q23 bus is louder....

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    1. lol, the bus, the fire engines and emt, the garbage trucks, the endless work that seems to plague FH streets... the horn honking and traffic around the schools and at "rush hour".

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  3. These curmudgeons need to be pushed out of Forest Hills; time has come that this area actually becomes cool. If they have a problem, move to Jersey or Long Island (or better yet, the Carolinas!)

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    1. Curmudgeons imply that the complainers are old and intolerant. I know one younger gay man with a family who does not enjoy the effects of these outdoor concerts. Maybe you should move to the Carolinas with such broad sweeping generalizations. No doubt a Republican, hehe.

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  4. The scheduling of a concert on a Sunday night during the school year was the only valid complaint mentioned in the article. Otherwise the concerts are terrific for the neighborhood

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  5. Where are these "Concerned citizens of FH" when there is graffiti, litter, speeding, lIlegal housing, over development of Western Meteopolitan Av, poor condition of our subway station, double parking, a need for better bike parking, a need for a safer Queens Blvd, a need for better, cleaner parks????? Or is this just a one-cause whining handful of do nothings in their community?

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    1. it's only an issue if it directly affects them... you hit several major points which need to be addressed with fh and nobody does yet the concert and the "mcmansion" issue by 110st seem to get all the press and attention... yeah those are two important issues that should get priority over everything else you mentioned...

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  6. Tell this so-called "group" to get a life. What does this group do the other 360 days of the year? What a bunch of crybabies!
    Like 4 days out of the entire year is going to really hurt their quality of life.

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  7. I agree with every single one of your points, Drake. This can only mean positive things for the neighborhood. Also, I don't live far from Continental and I've never found the noise (OR the concert-night crowds) to be overwhelming.

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  8. Agree completely as well, Drake. These concerts are helping us redfine the neighborhood and in a very positive and cool way imo

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  9. best thing to happen to the neighborhood

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  10. What did these people expect when they bought a place next to an abandoned stadium in a high rent area ? Did they expect that place would stay empty and unused forever ? If the WSTC would have sold the place to developers the SAME people would be bitching to the high heavens right now about the construction noise !

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    1. The last concert was, what, 35 years go? I guess they expected no concerts.

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    2. no... the last concerts were in the late 90's. i attended them when i used to be a member at the club.

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  11. Also, don't the concerts end at 10pm? I think that is very reasonable. How many people must be asleep by 10pm for more than 360 days of the year? Sheesh. I guess these people would rather have a dilapidated stadium in front of them?

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  12. Interesting that most people quoted in the article are over 50. And mom complaints involving children will happen no matter what. I'm surprised that the same mom wasn't quoted in an earlier article regarding the "dangers" of walking past an abandoned arena. And if it were a new condo, she'd complain about the "horrors" of glass window glare. I strongly believe the population at large is happy about the new development.

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  13. I completely agree with these comments. The promoters/stadium are limited to 6 concerts per year, and they all must end at 10pm. Really people? Is that too much for you? This group needs to move out of NYC if they are complaining about noise levels that occur for a few hours 6x a year. Imagine how your property values would have plummeted if your window now faced the wall of a new condo building.

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  14. Your comments are spot-on Drake! These so called "Concerned Citizens".... have they considered the alternative: a derelict and falling apart stadium that just sits there or the site gets sold to a developer who builds a tall building (potentially an eyesore) that adds traffic to the area. On balance, 6 shows per summer that attract new people to the area that also support businesses is a clear win for the neighborhood and for real estate prices. This is the best antidote to all the crappy chain stores and urgent care centers popping up all over the area (which drive down home values). The show and stadium are something unique and historic that the area can be proud of and they leave a fairly small footprint.

    I live a few blocks away from the stadium and have young children and I think these concerts are fantastic! I attended Modest Mouse this summer and found the exit and entry to the show to be very peaceful and organized, and we were out of there at 10pm. I really hope the promoters and community can come to an agreement - keep the shows on weekends, end them at 10pm, add sound barriers and let them continue!

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  15. You can't live in NYC and not expect some noise. If noise is really a problem then a move to some quiet lake or some mid-west cornfield should be contemplated. I live in Forest Hills and love it. At the same time I would love it more if it started to borrow or take in earnest elements from Astoria, LIC, Williamsburg, Carroll Gardens to name a few areas. Take a drive or walk these areas and there is a hip kinetic energy not found in Forest Hills. Face it, except for a few newer entrepreneurial places, Forest Hills is quite dull or has been dulled by corporate America and/or greedy landlords. The concerts are a wonderful draw for residents and for people coming in from other neighborhoods. It seems most are young. The concerts IMHO are the only current option where someone new might consider a 30+ minute train ride or drive to visit Forest Hills. They certainly are not coming a long way for anything else and thankfully they are not because it is quite embarrassing with a slew of closed and unrented storefronts. Yes, rising property values would be one fringe benefit but the real benefit would be "rising people values".

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    1. I wish this neighborhood would become more Bohemian and younger...I was born here and live childhood here but was raised elsewhere, now back. Forest Hills seems to be a composite of the most annoying individuals unfortunately:

      - Old, blue collar Whites (usually Republican political views), with no clue about anywhere else in the world and who feel a sense of 'protecting their turf' since they've been here for 50 years...; just goto any of the old pubs more east on Austin street or Metro

      - Poor or working class young Blacks and Latinos coming from Ozone park / Jamaica who don't know how to act with civility towards others -- inhabit Taphouse, hookah lounge, 5 burro, Buffalo Wild Wings

      - Religious individuals who are cliquey with their group and don't interact much with outsiders; mostly Jewish -- many originally from Uzbekistan (mostly concentrated around the park / large synagogue)

      - Families who want to maintain a 'family friendly' vibe -- basically, want to kill anything that is cool. They need to be transported to L.I.

      - Guidos from L.I. who invade from the LIRR and ruin any of the pubs that have some semblance of cool places on the weekend (i.e. Station House)

      These are merely observations...

      I really hope the demographics change in my birth neighborhood...a place I can actually have an intellectual and interesting conversation !!!



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    2. ^wow, the most passive aggressive racist on EOTC... basically i read your post as "i wish this neighborhood would go back to being old white people who don't leave their homes except for church, temple or to shop on austin st.

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    3. Obviously you didn't read the full post or you're not very intelligent (both?)...

      It's actually the exact opposite of what you described. I don't believe in fairly tales like many people so connecting with the believers is not a trait I possess.

      Old white people? They're one on the main issues with this neighborhood...

      Racist post? Maybe an aggressive post, but spare me your liberal condemnation (btw, I'm not a conservative). Observe the environment, and 'in general' try to contradict the points described (yes, including the unfortunate racial stereotypes presented...)

      How about some younger, cross cultural (& racial), WELL EDUCATED, ARTISTIC, diversification moving into the neighborhood. I'm talking cool glasses, tattoos, techies, well compensated...

      /rant
      ...

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    4. It is racist, lol.
      The idiot refers to all young Latinos and Blacks visiting Forest Hills as poor/working class and unable to interact with other people because of their "lack of civility."
      The person also assumes that Jamaica and Ozone Park are full people unable to be civil, but just like the old, blue collar white people he mentions, he knows nothing outside of his neighborhood (Forest Hills) and just decided to assume what he wants to be true.
      And the Ozone Park and Jamaica communities are composed of mostly South Asians, so again, that comment is wrong in that sense as well.
      What isn't ignorant about that?

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    5. http://www.movoto.com/ozone-park-ny/11416/demographics/
      http://www.movoto.com/south-ozone-park-ny/11420/demographics/
      http://www.movoto.com/jamaica-ny/11435/demographics/

      Sure, there's a fair amount of Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Trini/Guyanese/Surinamese in those parts. Maybe the Latinos come from Corona/Jackson Heights.

      It doesn't matter -- low education + young + MTV 'bling' culture (or whatever the new form of this is; reality TV?) = not a pleasant environment.

      Every time I goto 5 Burro or Tap House at night, it feels like I should have brought some boxing gloves. Disrespectful boys on the hunt for birdbrains...sipping coronas (or Frozen Margarita) for 1/2 hour at the bar and taking Patron shots...


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  16. The area needs the revenue
    Most business have said a 30 percent increase in revenue is the norm for a concert. The concerts could start 1 hour earlier...

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    1. agreed... weekday concerts aren't ideal but if they start and end a bit earlier isn't the worst thing for the neighborhood.

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  17. I'm in favor of anything that brings a little positive attention to Forest Hills. F.Y.I., my mom is 71 and a VERY light sleeper, and she hasn't once complained about the noise or crowds. :)

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  18. I wonder how many of these same whiny residents, people in their 50s and such, went to see the Beatles and the Stones in the same stadium years ago. It's time for the younger generation to enjoy life here in the neighborhood. More power to the concerts!

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    1. My dad saw the Beatles at the Forest Hills Stadium when he was 12 and he's happier than anyone about the stadium's resurgence. (Just saying.)

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    2. i am a resident and attended all the tennis events and concerts through the late 80's and 90's. i never had any issues with them. now i am older and a home owner in the same area and still do not have an issue with the concerts. beats staring at a crumbling venue falling apart and being neglected.

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  19. People will complain about anything. It's great for the neighborhood and it's only a few nights over the summer. Get a life!

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  20. Don't forget the neighborhood is still highly Jewish.

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    1. for now... van court and most of the gardens is now asian and mixed of other nationalities. northern leg by 108st is still heavily concentrated and will remain that way for some time. IMO.

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    2. What does this statement add to this thread?

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  21. The NYT "reporter" was deceitful about acquiring information on the club by pretending to be interested in membership. The individual rang many doorbells in the area inquiring about the "noise" and I was one of the individuals interviewed. I responded with accolades and delight that the venue was finally being used after many years of neglect and a breeding ground for stray cats, mice and rats along with the neglected landscaping. Expressed that the concerts bring many visitors to the area and that brings in a great deal of money for surrounding businesses. On any day there was a concert there was no empty seat in any of the areas bars or restaurants. Anything that will help keep businesses alive, police in the area and Austin St from having abandoned store fronts is good to me even if you have to deal with a bit of traffic and noise for a few hours. Better than having silence and an abandoned stadium and struggling businesses for over a decade. Tough call?

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  22. I'm saddened by the ageist comments here. I'm over fifty and think the concets are great. I've noticed an almost block-party attitude among the residents adjacent to the Stadium; all age groups seemed to be enjoying themselves. More than stores or restaurants or trendy things, living in a cohesive area that embraces music makes FH feel like home. Oh yeah, and I'm Latina and didn't deserve the bigoted statement either. I work just as hard as you do to pay what it takes to live here.
    Forest Hills is expensive for a reason: it's a choice neighborhood. So stop complaining and appreciate what we've got.

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  23. Like everyone in Forest Hills, and everyone who follows this blog, all of you know how to bitch very well. No surprise someone is bitching. And equally no surprise that there are those here bitching about the bitching. Yawn.

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  24. Like everyone in Forest Hills, and everyone who follows this blog, all of you know how to bitch very well. No surprise someone is bitching. And equally no surprise that there are those here bitching about the bitching. Yawn.

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  25. Channel 5 just did a report on this. (Sunday, 9/28/14)

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    1. Ran into the Channel 5 reporter and her camera man on Dartmouth Street, Saturday morning. When asked if I had any complaints about the concerts (particularly the noise), I told her that I had none at all and was, in fact, quite happy to have a handful of concerts each year, rather than a razed stadium with apartment buildings on the site.

      The reporter admitted that she and her team had been unable so far to find anyone in the area who had any complaint at all about the concerts.

      So naturally, when the report airs on Channel 5 the next day, it's all about the "concerned citizens" who oppose the concerts because they're too noisy. Seems as though Channel 5 had its story before their reporter even hit the neighborhood and absolutely nothing was going to interfere with the narrative they had in mind.

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    2. Exactly what happened with me and the other reporter... The story was already in the works they wanted confirmation from residents and were hard pressed to find anything... Sounds to me like some high level ahole either works at NYT/FOX or knows some people...

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  26. I had laughed when I saw the story in the Times the other day and glad you decided to weigh in on it. I live 3 blocks away from the stadium and it makes me laugh that people would complain about noise. The only noise I ever noticed was the band Mini Mouse doing a sound-check the day before their concert (limited tour schedule I guess!). These complainers live next the Long Island Rail Road and in the path of descent for LaGuardia! I think these complainers discovered that shaking down a concert promotor is not as easy as pinching the location manager of a film shoot for a $100 bill over on Greenway North. By the way, I think the concert day logistics and post concert clean-up was much better this year. Let's hope things continue to work well in the future.

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  27. The "Concerned Citizens" are saying that there could be up to 24 concerts a year, in the future. I think at the moment, the concert cap is year-to-year. I've had to pause my TV for the Q23 and the LIRR - never for the concerts - and I'm literally across the street.

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