Forest Hills Stadium in Forest Hills, Queens, has become the target of a lawsuit seeking to shut the historical venue down. The 101-year-old stadium has recently come under fire from locals, who have claimed that the venue’s main concert season lowers the neighborhood’s quality of life.
Originally designed in the 1920s to house the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Forest Hills Stadium has been rooted in Queens culture for more than 100 years. Since converting into primarily a concert venue in the 1960s, the stadium has hosted some of the industry’s biggest artists, including Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and Hozier.
The current lawsuit against the stadium reflects sentiments given by neighbors for multiple years. The main claims given by neighbors for their desire to shut down, or at the very least change the practices of the stadium, are the excessive noise pollution and littering that shows cause. Claims have been made that windows in houses as far as three blocks from the stadium shake during shows and that the streets surrounding the stadium have excess amounts of trash on the days following shows.
In response to the group of opposing neighbors, Forest Hills Stadium has maintained a stance of being “a great neighbor,” labeling its practices and efforts as “responsive, flexible, engaging, and thoughtful,” as well as citing times in the past when it has complied with community wishes. For example, every show in the stadium ends by 10:00 p.m., cleaners work the streets before, during, and after shows, and hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on noise mitigation and controlled amplification—all results of community wishes or initiatives meant to help community relations.
The closure of the stadium would also have significant economic consequences, and would undeniably impact local businesses and the job market negatively.
The ownership of Forest Hills Stadium switched into the hands of Mike Luba in 2013, who has been the main figure behind its revitalization. The success of Luba’s work, though, has been the cause of the recent issues. More shows are happening than ever, which correlates to the frequency of complaints.
Another lawsuit with very similar goals was recently shut down by Queens Supreme Court Justice Robert Caloras, which attempted to temporarily suspend concerts at the venue. Following that, another ruling from Supreme Court Justice Joseph Esposito concluded that Forest Hills Stadium was “entitled to a preliminary injunction prohibiting [Forest Hills Stadium] from permitting excessive noise to emanate from the stadium.”
In response, the stadium made a statement, saying, “[Forest Hills Stadium] has always sought to minimize its impact on local residents and comply with the law,” and that “it will continue to do so in connection with the recent orders of Justices Esposito and Caloras of the Queens Supreme Court.” Based on the recent developments that have officially concluded, it appears as though shows at Forest Hills Stadium will run as planned, at least for the current summer season.
As a result of the recent developments, the venue has created a Change.org petition labeled “Show Your Support for Forest Hills Stadium!” Over 1,100 signatures have been given towards the current goal of 1,500. In the words of the venue, “Forest Hills Stadium has been a part of the fabric of Queens for decades. If you love Forest Hills Stadium, if you love the music, the history, the singular space, if you believe the venue belongs here and should continue with our mission, please say it out loud!”
For access and more information on the petition to save the Stadium, visit here.
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