Neighbors concerned about noise from Allianz Field music festivals

Any future music festivals outside of Allianz Field need more pre-event community notice and sound level monitoring during the events themselves. Some area residents are seeking such changes in light of the two-day Breakaway Music Festival, held June 28-29. The event was the first major concert held since Major League Soccer stadium opened in 2019.

News that an eight-hour college student-focused music festival could be coming Sept. 21 is generating more demands for change, as well as expanded neighborhood notice.

Union Park District Council  (UPDC) sent a letter to city officials stating a number of concerns.

April King, a UPDC board meeting who lives south of Allianz Field, said her home’s windows were shaking during the Breakaway event.

“I live in a city – I get it... I want more of these events. But I’d also like to be able to sleep,” said King.

Some area residents initially thought they were dealing with noisy next-door neighbors, said Leah Timberlake Sullivan, UPDC executive director.

Some social media posts indicated that people as far south as Mendota Heights could hear the sound. Most noise complaints came from residents south of Allianz, although there were some complaints from Hamline-Midway and points north.

Others said they could enjoy the concert from the Cub Foods parking lot without paying high ticket prices.

Ramsey County dispatch reported more than 200 calls about noise.

UPDC and its land use committee discussed the noise issues at the regular board meeting July 10 and with Mike Hahm July 15. Hahm is a project consultant with Snelling Midway Redevelopment LLC, which is working on building and public amenities plans for the area around Allianz Field.

One issue some district council members raised is that as the property is developed, there will be less event space and potentially smaller gatherings in the future.

Events are being held outside of the soccer stadium. While saying that the Breakaway festival went very well for the most part and that the Ohio-based promoter wishes to return, Hahm said everyone involved will learn from what happened and do a better job with future events.

The event stayed within the sound level allowed with its variance, which was approved in June by the St. Paul City Council. The variance was sought for sound levels at 103 decibels. The variance granted was for noise to not exceed 95 dba as measured at 50 feet from all sound sources for the event hours.

 The level of allowed noise varies by zoning district, 55 dba in residential areas to 80 dba in industrial areas. The city further limits noise between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

No members of the public attended the hearing although council members had questions about the event and the genre of music.

One question is who got city notice about a sound level variance. Neighbors within 300 feet be notified, most people would not have been aware of the festival taking place. The notice list in city council files shows five commercial property owners who were notified, including Allianz Field area developer Snelling Midway Redevelopment LLC.

 “The city needs to step up its game on the sound monitoring,” said Mark Morrow, land use committee co-chairman. While acknowledging that events bring visitors and vitality to the city, he also said that there needs to be a balance.

The Breakaway fest and its dance music drew about 24,000 people. Fest organizer issued a written statement promising changes including sound engineering studies and site layout improvements before a “hopeful return” here in 2025.

A check of the site during the festival showed that St. Paul Police were there both days. The city’s Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) indicated that after neighbors complained, sound levels were turned down.

But the city did no sound level testing during the event itself. DSI has since issued a statement citing the role that concerts and other public events play in supporting local businesses and adding to the city’s vibrancy. DSI also said it will work closely in the future with event promoters and residents.

Committee and community members have questioned the Sept. 21 Forbidden Festival, an eight-hour event targeting college students who are age 21 and older. 

It will also have an open bar. Its organizer is University of St. Thomas student Breno Bueno. He has applied for a variance to allow 90 decibels of sound. No hearing date has been set.