$200K sound study recommends Franklin sports, entertainment complex adjust speakers, lower volume
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Wednesday night, the latest in a near decades-long debate between homeowners in a residential Franklin neighborhood and a nearby sports and entertainment complex — is The Rock too loud?
According to a $200,000 sound study authorized by Milwaukee County, it can be at times.
The complex has been the center of what residents say are “thousands” of complaints stretching back to when the area was first developed.
In a committee hearing Wednesday afternoon, the results of the six-month-long sound study were revealed, followed by several resident testimonies.
Officials said when reviewing the 240-page document, to keep in mind that the teams were not allowed onto the Rock’s property to conduct the study, so all of their findings are from the surrounding areas.
“The sound study proves we haven’t lied. There’s no reason for us to continue to waste 10 or more years of our life begging and pleading for help,” one resident said during the hearing.
Based on the study’s findings, officials recommended turning the speakers that face outward into the neighborhoods inward toward the stadium.
They also suggested lowering the volume, or installing a multidirectional speaker with speakers that can be controlled to match the volumes agreed upon in prior contracts.
“This has been going on for years despite hundreds and hundreds of complaints and attending huge amounts of meetings. Us neighbors notice that one speaker is aimed at right at our neighborhood, and we wonder why,” another resident said.
The report also found that fireworks and concerts exceeded the city of Franklin’s noise limits, and that sometimes sound could be heard up to two miles away.
Neighbors added that they didn’t want to see the complex shut down but that they hoped everyone could work together to find a happy medium.
The hearing was held just three days before the Taco and Tequila Festival is planned at the Rock, featuring several live rap concerts.
The owner of the complex has not responded to several of CBS 58’s requests for comment.