In Lviv, the management of the creative space !FESTrepublic has reached agreement with residents of neighbouring buildings and Lviv City Council on strengthening the soundproofing of the venue and developing solutions for noise protection, logistics and parking. The outcome of the meeting was reported by Lviv’s First Deputy Mayor, Andriy Moskalenko.
Residents of the Znesinnia neighbourhood, who live next to !FESTrepublic at 24 Staroznesenska Street, have repeatedly complained about excessive noise during concerts, traffic congestion and parking problems on days when large events take place. To resolve the conflict, the City Council organised a working meeting involving representatives of the !FEST company, an initiative group of residents and the relevant municipal departments.
According to Andriy Moskalenko, the city expects not only discussion from businesses, but also practical steps that will reduce the negative impact of events on people’s everyday lives.
The !FEST company had previously carried out acoustic measurements and established that the main source of noise is the structures of the so-called Building No. 9. As a first step towards resolving the issue, it was proposed to cover the windows with additional panels, treat the exterior surfaces with special sound-absorbing fabric, insulate the ceiling and install a noise barrier.
“We already have experience of responding to similar requests and have carried out soundproofing work on one of the buildings. We now intend to implement similar measures for another building, which has also been the subject of complaints,” emphasised Oleksandr Platonenko, legal counsel to !FESTrepublic.
Some of the complaints also relate to the open-air areas of !FESTrepublic. Residents note that, due to the particular features of the terrain, sound from the street carries over a long distance, and some visitors behave noisily after events finish, which causes additional inconvenience in the evening and at night.
Taras Katsyuba, a representative of the initiative group of residents of the Znesinnia neighbourhood, said that over several years local people had taken their own noise measurements and recorded levels exceeding the permitted thresholds, in some cases above 100 dB. Residents insist that the constant events make it difficult for them to rest and to ensure proper conditions for their children’s studies.
Under the agreement reached, the !FEST company will, at its own expense, carry out soundproofing work on Building No. 9, work together with specialists to consider options for installing noise barriers in the open-air area, and monitor the situation throughout August and September. Separately, it was agreed to coordinate actions with the police and the State Emergency Service to maintain public order and regulate traffic, as well as to prepare a comprehensive solution for parking arrangements during large-scale events.
The next meeting between company representatives, residents and the city authorities is expected to take place in around two weeks’ time. At that meeting, they are to present the calculated cost estimates, timeframes for completing the soundproofing works and the technical solutions proposed to reduce noise both inside the premises and in open-air locations.