We are writing to express our opposition to the permit requested by the D.L. Moody Center for the SoulFest 2023 concert. We are opposed to this event taking place in our community primarily because of the size of the proposed event, the lack of appropriate facilities, the noise that will disrupt the neighborhood and the traffic that will be generated before, during and after the event. We are particularly concerned about the impact on the primarily residential neighborhood that surrounds the campus of St. Thomas Aquinas College and the D.L. Moody Center.

Both the D.L. Moody Center and the St. Thomas Aquinas College do not function as collaborative entities within the town. The D.L. Moody Center agreed to host this event prior to any input from neighbors or the town as evidenced by the pre-sale of tickets for SoulFest. The D.L. Moody Center, in the recent past, has initiated to two unpopular projects in town that have been opposed by impacted residents further illustrating their disregard for our community — the proposed apartments on Pine Street and the campground on Pearson Road. Instead of limiting their activities to their campus proper, they continue to push development out into areas of town that impact our residents. There have been no serious attempts to work with the neighborhoods impacted by their actions.

It is also ironic that St. Thomas Aquinas is willing to open its campus to thousands of people from out of town yet is unwilling to allow residents to walk on its campus at any time. The Northfield Mount Herman campus, up until the time it was occupied by St. Thomas Aquinas, had always been open to residents who wished to walk through the beautiful campus. Now we are greeted by “No Trespassing” signs at every entrance to the campus. We understand wanting to protect students during the COVID crisis, but these signs continue to be posted even during the summer months. It is a shame that we are no longer allowed to walk on campus, yet they appear to have no reservations about bringing thousands of people into our town for a loud three-day event.

An online review of those involved in the governance of both the D.L. Moody Center and St. Thomas Aquinas College shows that much of the leadership of these two entities live far from Northfield. In fact, the three staff listed online for the D.L. Moody Center; the president, Mr. James Spencer, the director of marketing and fundraising, Maggie Hubbard and the director of ddministration, Christal Freeman, all live in Missouri. There is little confidence that the leadership of these entities are in touch with and concerned about the residents of Northfield and ample evidence that they will not be personally impacted by the proposed three-day concert event attracting 10,000 people.

This event should not be allowed to take place in Northfield in a primarily residential neighborhood. SoulFest, if interested in holding the concert in western Massachusetts, should be looking at venues that are set up to accommodate concerts and events of this size such as the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield, Tri-County Fairgrounds in Northampton, UMASS Mullins Center and/or Stadium, Berkshire East in Charlemont and Mountain Park in Holyoke. These venues have facilities and parking to accommodate large crowds. Given that there are feasible local alternatives it is curious that the D.L. Moody Center has agreed to host this event and develop costly infrastructure to support the event. Clearly this is being seen as a revenue stream to support the D.L. Moody Center with little regard for our town.

Lastly, I do not believe that D.L. Moody himself would wish this disruption on our community and risk potential damage to the beautiful campus he created.

Susan Wright and Bernhard Porada live in Northfield.

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