1
City sets decibel limits for the amphitheater
Possible
Resolves by End of 2026
Discussed by: Complaining residents Laure Turmell and Michael Yoder, who explicitly requested enforceable decibel limits and independent sound monitoring in their filings.
The City Commission reviews the noise exemption, amends the ordinance to set decibel limits, and arranges independent sound monitoring. This is the outcome residents asked for and would require a formal commission vote on the code.
2
Amphitheater adds voluntary sound mitigation
Deadline passed (Q3 2026)
Discussed by: City spokesperson, who said staff is working with operators to 'monitor sound levels, evaluate future options, and support a positive experience for both nearby residents and visitors.'
Rather than wait for regulatory action, venue operators add sound barriers, adjust speaker angles, or impose bass cutoffs. This reduces audible noise without an ordinance change and could satisfy residents enough to drop further complaints.
3
Residents escalate to legal action over noise
Unlikely
Resolves by Q2 2027
Discussed by: Turmell's expectation of more complaints if nothing changes; a standard escalation path when municipalities decline to act on nuisance claims.
If the commission declines to set limits, residents could sue the city over the exemption or pursue a private nuisance claim against the venue operator. Legal action would prolong the dispute and could cost the city in defense fees or damages.
4
City rewrites noise ordinance to accommodate amphitheater
Possible
Resolves by End of 2026
Discussed by: Hal Froot, lead plaintiff, who told WGVU he worries the city will change the ordinance
After the court ordered the venue to comply, the commission amended the code to exempt the amphitheater from noise limits between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. It passed 6-0 on Oct. 27, 2026. The venue now operates under its 2023 special land use approval, and residents lost the court victory.
5
City approves a sound wall for the amphitheater
Possible
Resolves by Q2 2027
Discussed by: Practical Polling Insights survey of 300 Grand Rapids registered voters
The city could build a sound wall to cut noise reaching Plaza Towers and other neighborhoods. The poll found 74% support for such a wall. A wall would not require changing the noise ordinance and could resolve the dispute without further litigation.
6
City Commission votes to keep the amphitheater's noise exemption
Deadline passed (Oct 27, 2026)
Discussed by: Deputy City Manager Kate Berens, whose memo to commissioners proposed the amendment; Hal Froot, who called it a bid to change the law after losing the case
Commissioners voted 6-0 on Oct. 27, 2026, to keep the amphitheater exempt from the noise code between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. The venue keeps its special land use permit, with a 105 dBA limit at the front-of-house mixing position, and residents lost the ruling they won in August.
7
Residents return to court over the rewritten ordinance
Possible
Resolves by Q2 2027
Discussed by: Hal Froot and attorney Ron VanderVeen, who represent the Plaza Towers plaintiffs
The plaintiffs already won a ruling that the venue had to follow the noise code. With the commission now exempting the venue from that code, they could challenge the amendment or revive their nuisance claim using newer concert data. VanderVeen said in August he planned to revise the nuisance claim and had a motion pending to add six more condo owners to the case.
8
Venue installs directional sound gear to cut bass
Possible
Resolves by May 15, 2027
Discussed by: Grand Rapids resident Joseph Cordes, who sent commissioners written technical proposals before the Oct. 27 vote
Cordes proposed cardioid subwoofer arrays and digital beam steering, which aim sound at the audience instead of letting low frequencies spread into nearby neighborhoods. The ideas sit in the meeting packet with no record of the commission or the Convention/Arena Authority acting on them. Adoption would not require changing the noise code.
