Grand Rapids grants downtown concert venue late-night noise exemption
City commissioners approved an amendment clarifying that Acrisure Amphitheater is exempt from the 10 p.m. quiet hours rule, a decision made after residents filed a lawsuit over sound complaints.
By Takeshi Davidson ·
Grand Rapids residents living near the Grand River now have a finalized rule regarding evening sound levels. City commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday night to modify the local noise ordinance, formally allowing concerts to continue at the Acrisure Amphitheater until 11 p.m. The vote resolves a dispute that began when residents filed a lawsuit arguing the venue violated the city’s prohibition on loud noises after 10 p.m.
The amendment clarifies that an exemption approved in 2023 applies to the amphitheater. A Kent County judge had previously sided with the residents, ruling that the venue was not covered by the previous exemption. The city argued it had already granted the waiver, but the legal ruling forced the commission to address the ambiguity in the text.
Commissioner Kelsey Perdue stated that the change does not remove existing rules but ensures clarity for all parties involved. Perdue said, “This is not taking away the rules. This is keeping the rules in place around sound restrictions for the amphitheater. So it’s actually making it clear and predictable for everyone involved.”
The Acrisure Amphitheater is a central part of the city’s ongoing riverfront development. The project includes new greenspace and a public walkway along a section of the river that was previously closed off. Construction also began this summer on a long-term plan to remove specific dams and restore rapids along the waterway.
Despite the amenities, the location has created friction with nearby homeowners. The proximity to the river allows sound to travel significant distances, reaching residents outside the city limits. Several residents told commissioners that concert noise rattled windows and kept them awake at night. Kip Paul, a 63-year-old veteran, urged commissioners to vote as if they lived in the area, noting that his neighbors had taken to sitting outside to listen to the clear audio.
The unanimous vote ends the legal standoff between the city and the residents who challenged the venue's operation. The amendment ensures the amphitheater can operate under the 11 p.m. cutoff while the city continues its broader riverfront improvements.
