The popular “Sounds of Summer” concerts at Harmony Park in downtown Arlington Heights won’t take the stage on Friday nights this year, mostly because some area businesses and village resources can’t keep up with the boon the entertainment event brings with it on that particular day, according to a village staff presentation at the Jan. 16 Village Board meeting.
But, village trustees voted to extend the concert series into late August — with only Thursday night performances — yet maintaining 12 concerts.
Trustee Rich Baldino expressed concern about the concerts.
“It’s turned into Mardi Gras and it’s become unwieldy,” Baldino said, adding he warned of that when Arlington Alfresco first came before the board. “I don’t know where this will go but I would just submit it turned into something we did not anticipate,” even though it’s become wildly successful and attracts many visitors to the area.
After much discussion at the board meeting, trustees voted 7-2 in favor of making the 2024 Sounds of Summer run only on Thursday nights from June 6 to Aug. 29.
Trustees Jim Bertucci and Scott Shirley voted against the change.
Although many residents stated in emails to village trustees and on social media they opposed swapping the days, officials explained, some downtown restaurants supported it. A detailed review by the village of attendance, parking, area bathroom usage and village resources led to a recommendation by village staff to make the switch.
Avis Meade, communications and outreach coordinator for the village, presented to the Village Board a detailed analysis of the concert series and its impact on the downtown area.
Using data collected from mobile devices to offer scope on concert attendance, Meade explained that Thursday concerts held when the village’s outdoor dining venue Arlington Alfresco was open, an average of 3,717 people were attracted to the area ? representing a 93% increase over non-Sounds of Summer Thursday nights.
On Fridays, though, an average of 5,034 people attended the downtown concerts, which was a 34% increase over non-Sounds of Summer Friday nights, according to Meade’s presentation.
Many downtown businesses report that Friday is not the night they need help drawing crowds, and restaurant wait times are becoming excessive on that day, according to the presentation.
The concert crowds have outgrown the park space, blocking sidewalks and making accessibility a challenge, Meade said. In addition, the Vail Street parking garage across from Harmony Park is often at capacity, causing parking headaches for downtown business patrons. And restroom overuse at area restaurants by non-patrons has created sanitary concerns.
The village, which budgets $101,800 for the event — including $34,500 for bands and $42,000 for the stage rental — is also paying $25,300 to staff the events with increased police and fire presence, and Public Works Department and administrative staff. The toll on the park grass is also becoming a concern, according to information in the presentation.
“More families enjoy this and Thursday nights are not an option for everyone,” said Trustee Scott Shirley, partially explaining his vote to not change the concert from Friday nights.
He said he represents the local blue collar worker who doesn’t start their weekend until 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Shirley also suggested the village needed more community input before making the change.
“There are a lot of residents saying they can’t get there on a Thursday night,” said Bertucci, agreeing with Shirley.
He said the village should try to accommodate residents.
“Someone has to stand up for the family who wants to come on a Friday night because they’re a working family,” said Bertucci.
Bertucci challenged comments by Ernie Rose, real estate manager and partner at DKM and O Attorneys, who presented information to the board on behalf of the Downtown Business Alliance. The organization represents 10 to 15 businesses in the downtown area, and each of them considered both concert night options.
“For a lot of members in near proximity to Harmony Park, this is very much an issue that affects them,” Rose said, rattling off a number of nearby restaurants and businesses. “All businesses support this plan and no business has spoken out against the plan. It’s sensible and worth trying,” he said about changing to Thursday night.
However, Bertucci specifically asked Rose if he had spoken to a number of restaurant owners that he did who did not support the switch. Rose said he did not.
Tom Manetti, president of Elegante Cuisine Inc. and the Metropolis Ballroom, located across the street from Harmony Park, said he has not been a fan of the concerts, particularly since he can’t book a Friday night wedding because of the competing sound from the concerts in the park. He’d prefer to see concerts on a Wednesday but would settle with Thursday.
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“It’s negatively impacted us,” Manetti told the board, adding he’s been stunned by the crowds.
“How is this allowed? This is not thought through. You don’t have enough bathrooms, you don’t have enough security, you don’t have enough emergency capabilities to handle these types of crowds. What happens when something goes wrong?” he said about the concerts being held on Friday.
Trustee Jim Tinaglia said the downtown district has evolved and changed from what it was when the concerts first began in 2001 and even since the introduction of Arlington Alfresco during the COVID-19 shutdown.
“We needed a rescue plan and it became this wonderful thing,” Tinaglia said. “A lot of towns would love to have our problems. Maybe there’s room for a little bit of change and a little bit of adjustment.”
Dave LoSavio, who was just appointed to the Housing Commission, stood up as a resident of Metro Loft, a residential building overlooking Harmony Park. He said noise complaints from Metro Loft neighbors last year were not the consensus of the building’s residents, and he was in favor of the concert change to Thursday and extending the season.
“Spreading it out on Thursdays not only helps the businesses,” LoSavio said, “it helps from a residents’ point of view and makes it a little more special that we don’t take it for granted.”
Mayor Tom Hayes said he thinks the change is a reasonable compromise to try for one year to address business concerns and expects the community will support an extended Sounds of Summer concert series through the end of August.
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.