Apple faces NIMBY noise abatement slap over NY SoHo Apple store

Thu, 08/21/2008 - 03:36 — Andy Space

One of Apple's most important New York retail stores has a new problem - annoyed neighbours.

It appears some local businesses and residents around the neighborhood of the New York SoHo Apple Store are annoyed at the ever-increasing crowds the store attracts - and the recent live performance by the Jonas Brothers was the final straw, angry neighbours moan (where we were unfortunately live on the scene).

It gets worse: A lower Manhattan residents' group has lodged a lengthy complaint against the store, moaning about loud parties, loitering crowds and "late-night disturbances".

They're angry about the store that's situated on the corner of Greene and Prince Streets in Manhattan's poshest shopping zone.

"Since the Apple SoHo store moved in six years ago, it has become the worst neighbour in SoHo," wrote SoHo Alliance director Sean Sweeney. "No bar, nightclub or construction site comes close to ruining continually our quality-of-life like Apple SoHo has," he complains.

Oh - and the Jonas Brothers, apparently, "attracted thousands of young teenage girls who screamed incessantly on the street for hours for their idols, blocking traffic, injuring one resident in the crush, and inconveniencing scores of other people and businesses," he wrote in the letter, sent to city and state officials and Apple management.

Additional complaints slap Apple for illegal construction work at night, noisy air conditioning, flood lights on the roof, crowds restricting access to homes and businesses, litter, and "Apple employees during their breaks lounging, eating, smoking, littering - in effect, trespassing - on nearby people's stoops."

We particularly like the complaint to the effect that crowds sometimes even camp out overnight on public sidewalks, giving SoHo the "appearance of a homeless encampment".

A classic example, at the end of the day, of the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) type in full effect. 

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Comments

So..

So the Apple store is the reason why NY is referred to as "the city that never sleeps."

Why would ANYONE want this in

Why would ANYONE want this in their backyard?

Sounds like Soho residents had enough when thousands of annoying tweens showed up and were screaming for hours. F that, I'd be pissed too. I'm guessing that the complaint is mostly hoping to draw attention to the sitaution and prevent future concerts that bring in an overwhelming number of individuals.

Don't live in SoHo

If they don't want noise they shouldn't live in SoHo, or in NY for that matter.

soho

And you shouldn't present yourself as a human with a working brain. How long have you lived in NYC? Not for very long I imagine. Apart from the long standing, now extinct existence of Art Galleries, Soho has always been a residential area historically. So to your way of thinking, the people who've been living there for an extended period of time should move because an Apple store presents unacceptable noise and disturbances?

Would you have the same attitude if you lived on Prince or Green Street? I seriously doubt it. You're a complete asshat.

Noise

HA! We have the same problem in Austin! People move into areas that are know for say, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT and then complain about noise...I know this is a strech but if you want peace and quiet....LEAVE THE CITY! There are plenty of "towns" that could use residents like this....Look up SunCity!

Anything to protect Apple

SoHo has long been a residential community. Over the past decade or so it has attracted more and more trendy shops and become a bigger shopping mecca. Soho is not known for its concerts that attract thousands of screaming fans. Apple moved into the neighborhood.

I'd love to have an Apple store in my neighborhood, but Apple has yet to open a downtown Seattle store. There are many concert venues in my area that have shows almost every night of the week, I can't remember a single instance where there were fans screaming for hours or even minutes.

Apple should take some responsibility and be mindful of the impact their store is having on the neighborhood. For those that say "if you don't like the noise, move" I'm amazed by your stupdity, I know you're only saying this because its an apple store. There is a clear difference between thousands of screaming tweens and general city noise. Thankfully most cities have laws that handle this and I am sure Apple broke them with the Jonas Brother's concert.

No one would want this in their backyard.

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