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Freedom Unleashed
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The shed is in the process of building a roof and a sound-containment wall on the hill behind the stage as part of a settlement agreement with Sterling Heights. Facility spokesperson Hank Riberas told Pollstar the improvements should be ready for the first show, which is being booked for the first week of June.
Freedom Hill’s operator, Hillside Productions, recently received a $31 million settlement from the city, $6 million of which is still in escrow.
“This roof design and this sound containment wall were evaluated by third-party engineers and consultants, mandated by the court as part of our settlement with the city of Sterling Heights,” Riberas said, “All of those experts came to the same conclusion, that this is a very good design and it will meaningfully reduce the amount of sound that escapes the park into the neighborhoods.”
The story of Freedom Hill is a long one with an unusual ending. Like numerous amphitheatres, it was met with resistance by some neighbors concerned about noise and traffic. Unlike many battles, the facility won a federal court case against the city in March 2003 after Sterling Heights pulled the shed’s liquor license and land-use permit.
“Rarely does one hear such compelling and unrebutted evidence of the vindictive retaliatory action such as that taken by Defendant (City Manager Steve) Duchane and the City of Sterling Heights,” U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds said in her decision.
The judge said there was a “relentless pattern of harassment and vindictiveness” by the city. Edmunds determined there was no evidence the shed broke its 11 p.m. curfew or that noise levels went above the facility’s 100 decibel limit.
The lawsuit was originally for $260 million.