Tempe City Council Sides With Local Concert Venue

The Tempe City Council has decided to get involved in the Shady Park vs. Mirabella at ASU legal battle, unanimously signing a letter that expresses their support for Shady Park and the city’s other live music venues.

“The city of Tempe prides itself on being a community where all are welcome and people are accepted as they are,” said Vice Mayor Randy Keating, reading the letter to other members of the city council on Thursday. All five council members would go on to sign the letter, as well as Keating and Mayor Corey Woods.

“As council members, we believe every Tempe should be able to enjoy a peaceful environment in their home, no matter the hour, and get a good night's sleep. With that said, we also believe that live music venues like Shady Park, that have operated for years in the Mill Avenue district, should be able to coexist and thrive with downtown’s many permanent residents.”

Over the past few months, the local concert venue has been involved in a public lawsuit against Mirabella at ASU, a retirement community that was financed by Arizona State University and finished construction across the street from Shady Park in December of 2020.

Mirabella filed the lawsuit in 2021. When the lawsuit was finally heard in court on April 13, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of Mirabella at ASU.

Under the ruling, music can still play, but they will have to wrap up by 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 7 p.m. on Sundays. Music volume will also have to be lowered considerably. Fridays and Saturdays are the days when Shady Park typically draws its largest crowds, previously being allowed to play music until 2 a.m.

“Tempe has, for many years, placed a high value on live music as a driver of a thriving arts and culture community. Since 2015, Shady Park has contributed greatly to Tempe’s reputation as the valley’s live music capital,” said Keating while reading from the letter.

“Equally important, Shady Park has been a consistent force for good in Tempe’s Downtown, as an employer, feeding the homeless on a weekly basis, and contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to local non-profits who serve individuals and families in need across our city and region.”

The letter is addressed to the Tempe Arts and Culture Community. All five council members would go on to sign, as well as Keating and Mayor Corey Woods.

Shady Park plans to appeal the ruling, saying via their Instagram that they are grateful for the community’s support. Mirabella also released a statement, saying that its residents are relieved by the April 13 ruling and that it hopes this will result in a “peaceful coexistence moving forward and a celebration of a community that is inclusive and respectful of all.”