The bad news is that there are some residents in SkyPoint, the downtown, high-rise condo, who say it’s getting a little too noisy when there are concerts at the new Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Even though they end by 10 p.m. Even though police say the noise was within acceptable decibel levels. The point is it was loud enough to be close. And loud enough to annoy. These were not the sounds of big band favorites or symphonic classics.
The good news? There are enough people who care. There are enough residents in SkyPoint for some to be bothered. There’s enough inducement to draw the sort of crowds to Curtis Hixon that will produce some serious decibels.
For a city too long associated with a lifeless downtown, one with no “there” there and nothing even approaching a critical mass, this is a welcome growing pain. One that city officials and urban pioneers will easily reach an accommodation on. That’s because noise is part of the fabric of a vibrant downtown. It comes with the territory. Finally.