Downtown Raleigh noise complaints could soon be handled by mediation program

City staff, residents and bar owners are working to develop a mediation system that will help alleviate tension between downtown residents and nightclub owners.

Downtown Raleigh Alliance President David Diaz told members of the Law and Public Safety Committee this week that a small task force is still working to get feedback from Glenwood South businesses and residents for the new system.

He said he will make another presentation at the next Law and Public Safety Committee meeting.

The system will begin as a pilot program in the Glenwood South district, the source of most club-related noise complaints.

Bars and clubs will be required to list online a 24-hour contact person for residents to call about noise. The contact person could then address the problem without involving the police department.

The next step will be a meeting with an independent mediator from the police department to help broker a solution.

If the problems persist, the police department could cite a business and the city could revoke or not renew the business’s amplified sound permits.