TowerCo and the Olmstead Falls City Schools Board of Education have reached an agreement that will bring extra funds to the school and better wireless connectivity to local residents. Cleveland.com reports that the Ohio school district negotiated a ten-year deal that begins with an up-front payment of $144,000 followed by four, five-year extensions for an additional $1,200 per month.
The new tower will occupy a 50-by-50 foot pad at the district’s five-acre bus garage.
Occupying the easternmost section of the triangular lot, the tower will be no more than 150-feet tall, keeping it in compliance with FAA guidelines, according to Cleveland.com. The proximity of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport limits the maximum height of the new tower.
“As a school district we are always on the lookout for ways to bring in alternative forms of revenue,” said Olmsted Falls City School District Superintendent, Jim Lloyd. “While this won’t make a significant impact on our overall budget, every dollar helps. In addition, those that live in the Olmsted area know that our cell coverage isn’t good, and Verizon customers will be the first to see an increase in coverage,” he added.
“TowerCo identified a couple of the district-owned properties that could potentially be home to a cell tower,” stated Olmsted Falls City Schools Director of Business Affairs, Timothy Atkinson. “Of course, we were all ears because it can obviously generate additional income for us that can be used for capital improvements.”
Atkinson continued: “Ultimately the site at Shady Road was selected. Once TowerCo went through all of the processes, including an environmental site assessment and the Olmsted Township Zoning and Building Department approval, the tower went up in a manner of days. Right now, they’re excavating for the utilities that will run to the tower.” The new monopole is expected to be operational in three to four weeks, according to Cleveland.com.
October 14, 2019
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