Forest Hills residents are taking their fight over the neighborhood’s concert center to a new level. The Forest Hills Garden Corporation (FHGC) has filed a federal lawsuit against the city, accusing the NYPD of an “unconstitutional” takeover of the group’s private streets on more than 30 concert days this summer.
“It’s not a dispute about the stadium; it’s about the city taking private property without compensation,” said Katherine Rosenfield, partner at Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP, who represents FHGC.
FHGC, which has nearly 4,000 members, seeks compensation for the alleged unlawful street closures. Lawyers say the amount could reach into the millions.
According to the complaint, the NYPD shut down the streets to manage crowds and direct traffic during concerts. This had happened in the past, even after FHGC withdrew its approval in May. The city had set up a deal that let the concerts continue without the group’s help.
Residents argue that if the concert takes place on a public street, the promoter would have to apply for permits and pay city fees. Because the games run on a private block, the city gets no money and, in turn, does not pay FHGC. “Something is wrong,” Rosenfield added.
Typical street‑closure permits for events of this size cost about $25,000 per day. The FHGC says the city is charging them nothing. The lawsuit also points to cleanup costs: concertgoers leave trash, drink, smoke, and even urinate in the streets.
The main problem, however, is that the NYPD’s barricades block private roads, preventing homeowners from reaching their driveways. One elderly resident was injured when she tripped while trying to show her luggage to a taxi that was denied entry.
The NYPD did not comment on the claims but said its officers only patrol public streets.
Residents like Jenna Cavuto, a Long Island teacher who moved to the Gardens in 2018, have been forced to change plans. “I sometimes have to skip concerts because it’s too hard to get through the security checkpoints,” she said.
Cavuto hopes the lawsuit will make the Forest Hills Stadium and the production company, Tiebreaker Productions, aware of the disruption it causes the community. She says the sidewalk should not be shut down to let private businesses dictate everyday life.
Not all members agree with the lawsuit. Former FHGC president Mitchell Cohen described it as “a shame.” Cohen said most residents want the stadium to thrive, not to be stopped by a few opposed members.
The Tiebreaker Productions, which runs the concerts, declined to comment. The mayor’s office did not immediately respond. This lawsuit is the third time Forest Hills residents have taken legal action against the stadium and Tiebreaker Productions.
Earlier suits asked for a halt to no‑noise‑limit concerts, leading to six violations by the Department of Environmental Protection last summer. The stadium claims it follows FHGC rules, including a 10 p.m. curfew, and says concerts bring significant revenue to local businesses.
Source: New York Post
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