Photo credit: Onur Satıcı
by Arline L. Bronzaft, Ph.D., Board of Directors, GrowNYC, Co-founder, The Quiet Coalition, and Honorary Chair, Quiet American Skies
Our readers know that this blog covers the impact of loud music venues on nearby communities, including in Colorado and New York. In La Vista, Nebraska, city officials knew that there would be complaints when a local music venue, the Astro Theater, opened. This indicates that appropriate sound level studies were not considered before the venue opened. A cursory search of relevant scientific literature would have informed the city that noise complaints have been linked to loud sounds from music venues. Furthermore, a small amount of research would have revealed that loud, intrusive sounds can adversely affect mental and physical health.
This article by Greta Goede in 3 News Now Omaha discusses the impact of the music venue on nearby residents and focuses on one resident, Adam Giesen. Geisen describes how loud music from the venue infiltrated his home in the evening. He measured the sound with a decibel meter, with one evening registering 90 decibels. He was unable to work in his home, and his two children could not fall asleep. He lamented that the city did not take action when he complained. Sadly, he was forced to put his home up for sale and move from La Vista. He hopes his neighbors will get some relief soon.
Goede reported that the city conducted a noise study at the last outdoor concert on Oct. 18, and has plans to mitigate the sounds. We will have to follow the situation to learn whether the relief that Giesen hoped for will indeed be afforded to nearby residents. Let me conclude this post by reiterating the following statement: appropriate sound studies should have preceded the opening of this venue, therefore protecting the health and well-being of the community.
