Audit reveals noise complaints up around night spots

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It’s a tale as old as time. At least that’s how it feels for some Riverdale residents when it comes to noisy neighbors in the area. 

And a new state audit proves they aren’t alone.

The number of noise complaints in the city more than doubled between 2010 and 2015, according to state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, jumping from 86,365 to almost 180,000. 

The main culprit? Nightlife establishments and settings.

It’s no surprise then that many of the local grievances stem from areas surrounding popular bars and restaurants that cater toward college students. Such a strip, located at West 238th Street between Greystone and Waldo avenues, receives a high amount of criticism from the community.

One longtime resident, though, had no trouble pointing the finger at students, whom he referred to as the “noisiest part of the neighborhood.”

Jean Brousseau has been the superintendent of the co-op at 3810 Greystone Ave. for the last 25 years. His complex does not rent apartments to students, but it is situated next to The Grand View — one of the most popular off-campus buildings for undergraduates to live in. 

“I’m glad I don’t live in that building,” he joked. “Friday nights, Saturday nights, you see people traipse in with cases of beer, and they invite all their friends over, and they party. They’re like fraternity houses.” 

Many residents have formed groups to take action, attending community board meetings and working with local police to help address the issue. One local even created their own Twitter account and website called “Sleepless in Riverdale,” aimed toward drowning out the noise.

At one point there was even a petition circulated declaring a “Neighborhood Residents Bill of Rights” demanding quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, with extensions on the weekend. The petition garnered more than 150 signatures.

Brousseau, however, does not agree with claims noise has dramatically increased in the more than two decades he’s lived in the area.

“It’s been pretty steady since I’ve been here,” he said. “In general, it’s not noisy. It’s the kids.”

Community Board 8 has worked to address the issue, enforcing a rule that new bars must agree to close at 2 a.m., in order to obtain a liquor license. A bar may request to extend hours at the board’s discretion, though they can be denied if they have a high record of complaints.

Brousseau, who lives next to the popular Irish pub An Beal Bocht on 445 W. 238th St., admires the bar’s commitment to turning the music off at a certain hour. He also states they always close up at a reasonable hour.

While the community surrounding Manhattan College is disgruntled, for some Riverdalians, the grassy suburbia does succeed in blocking out the incessant chatter from the city. 

Mary Collins, who moved to the area in 1994 after living in Washington Heights for more than 30 years, is nothing but content with her neighborhood. She currently lives near Saint Margaret’s parish in North Riverdale.

“My neighborhood is very quiet, I know (West 238th) is not quiet,” she said. “I read about it all the time in the newspaper.”

Noise complaints, audit, Thomas DiNapoli, Manhattan College, Alexandra Hutzler

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