The Dallas Observer blog, Unfair Park, notes that the trouble between the Dallas Symphony and the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts over the sounds of Annette Strauss Artist Square has now become the Annette Strauss Artist Square Sound Mitigation Plan. Which is being discussed today by the city council.

Basically, Artist Square is tucked very compactly between the Winspear Opera House and the Meyerson Symphony Center along Woodall Rogers. But the band shell is more or less aimed at the Meyerson. So the DSO wasn’t keen on all that amplified music headed their way.

The new plan is the result of City Manager Mary Suhm trying to resolve the dispute: The DCPA’s contract always stipulated it must avoid “noise pollution” and “respect” the Meyerson, and the DCPA has claimed it can do so with fancy hi-fi equipment dampening things. The DSO vehemently disagreed — so much so, they even got a Dallas Morning News editorial taking their side. So Suhm hired three outside acousticians (Artec Consultants, Kirkegaard Associates and Sound Space Design) to come up with some answers/suggestions.

And the trio pretty much sides with the DSO as well. All of their recommendations have to do with muffling the sound from Artist Square (either technologically or structurally — put up “barrier walls intended to reduce low-frequency subwoofer sound”). In addition, they would require Artist Square not to schedule any amplified attractions during events by the DSO, Dallas Wind Symphony, Turtle Creek Chorale and so on. There are further restrictions suggested on sound levels even during standard work days as well as amending the Artist Square’ Use Agreement to increase administrative and design controls.

About the only thing the DSO has to do is get its Use Agreement amended (along with the DCPA’s) to forge a joint scheduling plan for future seasons.

Everybody play nice now.

Image from musictimes.com