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Forest Hills Stadium concerts back on after NYC brokers deal with residents
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 14, 2025
Modified Apr 15, 2025
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Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 14, 2025
Modified Apr 15, 2025
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The show will go on.
Forest Hills Stadium’s summer concert series will proceed as planned after a deal was reached to resolve a bitter standoff between the venue and a group of nearby residents who had blocked the required city permits, officials said.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced Monday that Tiebreaker Productions — the stadium’s concert partner — has agreed to hire private security to manage the privately owned streets around the venue. That move satisfied concerns from the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation, which had previously refused to grant the NYPD access to close those streets, leaving the department unable to issue sound amplification permits.
Tiebreaker Productions did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It’s the latest chapter in a yearslong battle between the stadium and some Forest Hills residents, who said the concerts bring noise, crowds, litter and disruption to their otherwise quiet neighborhood. Some have filed lawsuits, while others have lobbied elected officials and police to intervene.
Last month, the NYPD said it could not issue the necessary permits without the homeowners group’s approval. Richards — the borough’s first Black man to be elected borough president — responded by accusing the residents of racism, saying their opposition was rooted in discomfort with the diverse crowds the concerts draw. He also sent a letter to Mayor Eric Adams urging City Hall to help broker a solution.
“The show goes on!” Richards told Gothamist Monday night. “There are some factions who didn’t want to see this show happen — and I’m here to say that there’s a new sheriff in town.”
Kayla Mamelak Altus, a spokesperson for Adams, said the NYPD has preliminarily approved an "alternative security plan" for the stadium, including "a comprehensive private security strategy for a May 31 concert."
"The NYPD’s conditional approval allows concerts to continue this summer if the stadium meets certain conditions, such as compliance with city noise code and adequate security measures," she said in a statement.
The Concerned Citizens of Forest Hills, a group that represents some residents who have long opposed the concerts, said the stadium should have to abide by noise and zoning codes and other restrictions on events.
And shortly after Richards’ announcement, Forest Hills Stadium posted a statement to social media celebrating the news.
“As anticipated, we’re pleased to announce that the City of New York has given Forest Hills stadium the green light for our 2025 concert season to proceed as planned,” the stadium said.
Richards said he plans to keep working with the stadium on long-term improvements, including sound mitigation and community engagement.
“I don’t want to minimize working with Forest Hills Stadium on improving their technology when it comes to sound barriers — which I think they already do a good job of,” he said.
But he added that he won’t support efforts he sees as exclusionary.
“Outside of that, I will never side with people who don’t think certain people should walk through their neighborhoods,” he said.
This story has been updated with additional information.
Tagged
Music
new york city
public safety
queens
art
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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