You’ve probably seen this map from online real estate service Trulia that shows the “noisiest” areas of Seattle. Depending on where the editor took a screen grab from the animation — which is showing noise complaint locations by month, by the way — Capitol Hill and the University District either look really “noisy” or really super “noisy”
While it’s true that Pike/Pine noise is significant enough that leases for new buildings in the area are including clauses stating that tenants acknowledge they are living in a “vibrant” area for nightlife, we took another look at noise issues that shows a slightly different view.
Looking at SPD incidents involving noise — not just the formal complaint filings — shows a much noisier city as a whole.
Here is a heat map representation for June through September:
It seems that complaining about noise is a more shared quality of Seattle city life than the Trulia graphic lets on.
Here are some zoom-ins of the noise heat map view:
You’ll note that Pike/Pine and its bars and clubs are, indeed, especially noisy. But there are other pockets of noise issues that are less easily explained. What is happening on Boylston and Harvard near Mercer?
2015 through September
2014 through September
Meanwhile, we also looked at only the East Precinct totals for a view at how things might be changing over time. Guess what? It’s getting noisier — or you’re complaining more. Reports are up 11% vs. 2014.
The article doesn’t specifically say how this data was acquired, but one can infer that the only point of collection was phone in noise complaints to SPD. This makes the study irrelevant, since only a single point (people noise be it by voice, instrument, gunning engines or gunfire) was used. Freeway and other traffic noise apparently doesn’t count. Nor does there appear to be any sort of density adjustments, decibels per thousand people, for example.
Today’s lesson: Don’t trust single source data, be it noise levels, popularity polls, or anything Trump says!
The city has dudes that go around and measure noise levels – like around the light rail you’ll see microphones mounted.
In answer to the article’s question- the most likely source for Boylston and Harvard near Mercer is the construction project of the ugly, modern monstrosity apartment building.
Obviously, doesn’t include airplane noise, which is a big factor on much of Capitol Hill.
I once tried to get airplane noise readings, but the authorities do not collect noise readings on Capitol Hill, though they collect over Medina and Magnolia, for example.
The plane noise is insane and would not be tolerated any where else in Seattle. Capitol Hill has no voice in this. I heard a plane at 2:30 this a.m. They used to be banned until 4:30 or 5:00 a.m.
Plane noise near a major airport? Crazy. What’s next, the sound of cars near a highway?
Stop the insanity!
The noise on Boylston is from Tashkent Park, a favorite of local drunks and junkies. My building is right next to it and we had to move our bed into the walk-in closet (with no windows) to escape the noise of the midnight/3am scream fights and/or freakouts that occur on the reg.
Also, the airplane noise is out of control. I wish they would install a microphone at the library to monitor it. I submitted a comment through their official online form months ago and never heard back.