Forest Hills Stadium is claiming victory in the battle to put on its summer concert series as planned — but frustrated neighbors accused the iconic Queens venue of lying to the NYPD to get what it wants.
The stadium and its concert partner, Tiebreaker Productions, promised cops it could quell safety concerns by using its own security squads to shut down streets around the venue on concert days — but local critics said Tuesday that those streets are private property.
And if the first concert of the year hits any snags, the rest of the schedule can be put back in the crosshairs.
The venue’s promise to patrol paved the way for the stadium to continue with its concert season opener on May 31 after the property management group the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation had refused to let the NYPD shut down privately owned streets.
That decision forced the city to deny permits for sound amplification, threatening the summer slate of concerts.
“Forest Hills Gardens Corporation remains steadfast in its commitment to resolving all issues constructively through the agreed-upon mediation process,” FHGC said in a statement. “Attempts to bypass this process, especially through unauthorized use of private property, are deeply concerning and counterproductive.
“We urge all parties to approach this moment with integrity and a shared commitment to the rule of law and the well-being of our community.”
According to the FHGC, Tiebreaker does not have the authority to deploy personnel into the privatized Gardens street, or to shut them down, without explicit permission by the homeowner’s group.
“Tiebreaker has apparently represented to the NYPD that it has an agreement or other legal authority to do what NYPD has concluded it can no longer do—seize private streets for a third-party commercial event,” the FHGC said in a statement.
The FHGC alleged that Tiebreaker “circumvented” the homeowners’ group by brokering a deal with the help of city officials like Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who earlier this month claimed the group was using ear-splitting noise concerns as a cover to keep black concert-goers out of the wealthy nabe.
As part of the “conditional approval” signed off by the NYPD, Tiebreaker would hire a private security team to shut down and patrol FHGC’s privately owned streets for three hours ahead and one hour after its season-opening concert on May 31, thus resolving safety concerns that prevented police from previously handing over sound amplification permits.
The FHGC claimed it was not privy to any agreement on the use of its privatized streets, but was willing to offer them up if the stadium could promise to bring down noise levels. Last year, the stadium racked up 11 violations for exceeding the 68-decibel limit.
But Tiebreaker asserts it is following clear instructions set earlier last year when the FHGC hit the stadium with a lawsuit about the migraine-inducing noise. A judge at the time ruled both parties would have to fall in line with whatever regulations the NYPD put forth.
The cops decided Monday that the production company could use its own security task force on the private streets for at least the May 31 concert, though the same procedure would be followed at the succeeding concerts this summer. The venue has to apply for a permit for each concert in the days ahead of the performance.
The sound permit can also be yanked back, however, if Bloc Party, the band scheduled to play that night, plays louder than what is legally allowed, according to officials.
But if all goes well, Forest Hills Stadium would be permitted to go ahead with its other planned concerts, a line-up that includes The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons and three days of Phish.
Tiebreaker is already celebrating the agreement as an end to the bitter batte.
“Nobody should listen to this small group of individuals who are indifferent to judges’ orders and the careful, comprehensive safety plan that has been vetted by the City of New York and the NYPD,” a representative for the company told The Post.
“See you at the Stadium this summer!”
The venue separately celebrated the news Monday, promising that the season would go ahead as planned.
“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 venue posted online Monday.
“Each year, our team works closely with the local community and elected officials to bring world class performances at one of the most iconic music venues in the country.”
