Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
February 9, 2018
In this document, you will find a detailed analysis based on the concerns of the new Four Oaks
Pavilion in Hartville City. Enclosed in this report you will find an assessment of the issues
presented, recommendations to address local citizens concerns, and advice on how to fix public
relation problems that this scenario has created. By following through with this report, trust and
confidence within Hartville should be restored to the citizens of Hartville, the Hartville City
Council, and Kramer Associates.
Knowledge based on the report sent and thorough research has led AML Communications
Department to form the most effective, cost efficient way to handle the noise crisis from the new
amphitheater. Discussion and recommendations on the traffic crisis caused by Four Oaks
Pavilion will also be presented. Last, suggestions on how to mend the trust and regain respect
from the Four Oaks community will be featured in the document.
Overall, the goal of this report is to provide reasonable advice on the Four Oaks Pavilion crisis in
a way that will both benefit the citizens, as well as, the officials of Hartville City. If any
questions or further assistance is needed following reading this report, contact Alexa Lefferts at
AML Communications Department at A.lefferts@aml.com.
Sincerely,
**Signature**
Alexa Lefferts, Technical Consultant
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
Prepared for
Hartville City Council
1
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
Table of Contents
Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................3
Introduction....................................................................................................................................4
Background of Venue......................................................................................................................4
History of Concern...........................................................................................................................4
Stakeholders.....................................................................................................................................5
Situation Analysis..........................................................................................................................6
Noise Problems...............................................................................................................................6
Traffic/Crowds/Parking Complaints................................................................................................7
Recommendations..........................................................................................................................8
Noise………………………………………………………………………………………..…..…8
Traffic/Crowds/Parking...................................................................................................................8
Public Relations...............................................................................................................................9
Final Recommendation................................................................................................................10
References………….....................................................................................................................11
2
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
Executive Summary
After the construction and completion of the Four Oaks Pavilion amphitheater, the city council
of Hartville, North Carolina is receiving many complaints. This report examines, discusses, and
analyzes the current issues related to this new amphitheater. The purpose of this report is to not
only study the complications, but provide realistic solutions to address the problems. The report
is divided into three main sections, following with a final recommendation summary. These three
main points include an introduction that will summarize the case at hand, a situation analysis on
all current complaints, and recommendations to improve the conditions. Three subpoints I will
address in both the situation analysis and recommendations is noise, traffic/crowds/parking, and
Background information for this report was based from data provided to me by the City Council
members of Hartsville, the chief engineer of SMZ Engineering, and the Manager of the Four
Oaks Pavilion. Also, research was conducted through additional sources, including local
This report has concluded that the best course of action to take for noise problems is to make a
rule of max volume at 105 decibels (db.) and to build stronger sound barriers around surrounding
least, a parking field. Strict tow away zones and more security can help alleviate all parking,
traffic, and pedestrian problems. Positive public relation can be restored through solid
communication and voting (in some cases) on all further action in Hartsville, North Carolina.
3
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
Introduction
To ensure proper recommendations, I have analyzed the background of the venue, history of
Background of Venue:
In Hartsville, North Carolina, a new amphitheater named Four Oaks Pavilion was constructed to
provide entertainment, create jobs, and encourage tourism for the surrounding area. Before
construction, initial studies, including an environmental impact study, was conducted. These
studies determined that the amphitheater would not impact the local community in any
unfavorable ways. Unfortunately, after the amphitheater was complete, the townspeople began
Both Dale Crompton, the manager of Four Oaks Pavilion and Bill Stewart, the Project Director
of an acoustic engineering company, have been working hard on finding a logical reason behind
the complaints. Crompton hired Stewart’s acoustic engineers to test sound levels and help create
a solution for reducing the noise. The engineers found that the amphitheater was above the
History of Concern:
The Four Oaks Pavilion has created multiple problems for the City Council of Hartville to
address. Dr. Guenzel has contracted me as an outside consultant to analyze the case study and
develop reasonable solutions for the Hartsville community. After research and analysis on the
situation, I have divided the major issues into three categories that include sound, traffic, and
public relations.
4
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
Stakeholders:
Stakeholders include the amphitheater management (Kramer Associates and Dale Crompton),
The City Council of Hartville, residents living near Four Oaks Pavilion, and future concertgoers.
5
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
Situation Analysis
Noise Problems:
To begin, noise was a major concern of the people of Hartsville. The residents’ complaints
consisted of the noise of the amphitheater being so loud that it would interrupt their sleep, create
distractions, and wake young children in the night. To prevent noise complaints, pine trees were
planted on the berm around the amphitheater. These trees are too thin to act as an effective sound
Four Oaks Pavilion has reported sound levels in the amphitheaters often reaching higher than
105 decibels, which is higher than the average level of sound at most entertainment facilities. To
further note, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reported,
“Long or repeated exposure to sound at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss” (2011).
Sounds even higher than 105 decibels should be a concern to frequent concertgoer’s health.
6
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
Traffic/Crowds/Parking Complaints:
Traffic, crowds, and parking is another high concern for local residents surrounding the Four
Oaks Pavilion. The new amphitheater has created a large amount of congested traffic through the
community streets. Concertgoers also lack a sufficient parking system. This creates problems
with concertgoers parking on local resident’s personal land and driveways. Property damage to
resident lawns has increased because of this and crowds walking on foot. Disturbance complaints
have also been reported about rowdy crowds leaving late night concerts.
Negative relations between citizens and the city council are growing as time with no change to
the poor situation persists. People of Hartsville are losing trust in their council members who are
supposed to represent their needs. Some even believe nothing will ever be done to fix this
ongoing problem. The community was promised an amphitheater that would bring jobs and
7
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
Recommendations
Noise:
Based off research and the information provided I will make reasonable suggestions to correct
the noise concerns. My first recommendation is to keep the rule of the volume no higher than
105 decibels (db.). It is unnecessary to allow noise levels above the national average, especially
being that over 85 decibels is entering a noise level where hearing loss may encounter. Next,
stronger sound barriers need to be built to block and absorb noise from the surrounding
neighborhoods. A smart solution would be thick sound barrier walls. They are cost efficient and
effective. They have proven effectiveness along multiple highways, blocking loud traffic from
neighborhoods just on the other side. It should be recommended to builders to lightly decorate
these walls with designs, so they do not lower the visual appeal of the neighborhood. Also, sound
proofing trees should be placed inside and outside these walls to add landscaping and absorb
Traffic/Crowds/Parking:
I also have reasonable suggestions based off research on the traffic, crowds, and parking
concerns. I strongly recommend enforcing strict tow away zones in place inside the
8
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
neighborhoods. The city must provide a place for influx of traffic to park for the concerts.
Parking garages or at least parking fields need to be built immediately. While the parking field
would solve the lack of parking problems and be more cost efficient, a parking garage also
serves the ability to block more noise from the Four Oaks Pavilion. However, either of these
recommendations would improve current conditions. Furthermore, there needs to be security and
police directing traffic and people the night of events. Strict no entry rules to neighborhoods need
to be in effect to avoid random people walking over the yards of the locals. More security will
also lower the risks of unfortunate events, such as terrorist attacks or shootings, which large
venues should always be prepared for. A possible curfew for the city, through voting, may help
Public Relations:
I have reasonable suggestions based off research on the public relation concerns. These
recommendations are to help regain a more positive public relationship with the community. In
order to achieve this goal, the city and amphitheater must be in full communication with the
people. They need to discuss what is being done to help, in an honest way, to build a new sense
of trust. Steps of action must be made immediately after discussing. Having the community vote
9
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
on certain issues will also give them a sense of involvement. Voting can be done in person at
town meeting were important issues are discussed, by having a call center on voting days in the
city council, or simply through an online portal. People like to feel involved in their
10
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
Final Recommendation
In this report, I have listed suggestions to correct the multiple issues the new Four Oaks Pavilion
amphitheater has created within the Hartsville community. I have dissected the complaints of the
people of Hartsville, North Carolina into three sections to properly analyze them. These sections
included noise, traffic/crowds/parking, and public relations. Through research and the
information provided by the city council, I have recommended the most effective and cost-
efficient solutions.
The solutions I have recommended begin with lowering the noise levels the amphitheater is
producing. It is important to keep noise levels at the recommended 105 decibels. To further
control noise from directly effecting surrounding neighborhoods, sound wall barriers should be
built to absorb and block excess noise from concerts. Parking issues can easily be addressed by
enforcing strict tow away policies in surrounding neighborhoods. Parking garages or fields
(depending on the city’s budget) must be built to provide enough parking for the average amount
of concertgoers. A larger amount of police and security should be present on event nights to
By following the recommended suggestions, communicating efficiently with the community, and
following up quickly with further concerns, positive public relations between the people of
Hartsville and the city council should be restored. I am confident in this report and believe in the
city council to make the most beneficial choices based off of my findings and recommendations.
11
Four Oaks Pavilion Report- 2018
References
Fink, Daniel J. What Is a Safe Noise Level for the Public?, American Journal of Public Health,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5308171/.
Intertia, Polar. Parking Garage Layouts. Parking garages, Polar Interia, 2004,
www.polarinertia.com/nov04/parking01.htm.
Carltin, Rick. What Is the Decibel Level of a Jet Plane?, Sciencing, Leaf Group Ltd, 24 Apr.
2017, sciencing.com/decibel-level-jet-plane-5375252.html.
12