Sunday, March 9, 2008

From Broadway To Fairfield

West Central cell tower site relocated
Link (JG)

"West Central residents no longer need to worry about a Centennial Wireless tower blocking the view of the General Electric Co. sign."

[...]

"Centennial Wireless wants to rent antenna space on a 150-foot tower proposed at 1701 Fairfield Ave., behind Bushey’s Windows, Doors & Sunrooms. JB Towers LLC, which would own the structure, has applied for a variance to exceed the zoning ordinance’s 35-foot height limit."

[...]

"The proposed Fairfield Avenue tower will not provide as much downtown wireless capacity as the first site, but Laux said it should still meet future needs as cell phone use there grows. Harrison Square, the $125 million downtown redevelopment project, is expected to generate more cell phone traffic in that area."

[...]

"Carolyn DeVoe, former president of the Southwest Area Partnership, said the project could still be improved. Antennas could be mounted on downtown high-rises or on two proposed 100-foot towers that would serve as architectural features for Headwaters Park. That would avoid the need for wireless carriers to dot downtown with towers, she said."
Related:
From BZA
Coverage No Justification

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here's one suggestion from my North Fort Wayne River Development blog: Integrate cell tower technology into a Headwaters Park downtown aerial tram system. As new cell towers are needed near Glenbrook, IPFW, Dupont, Jefferson Pointe, and Southtown, extend the tram system to these areas.

Cellular companies such as Verizon and Centennial Wireless offset the tower construction costs, while private funds are raised for the transfer stations near the Historic Old Fort, Wells Street Pedestrian Bridge, and Harrison Square.

Downtown visitors would be treated to a bird’s eye view of Headwaters Park and North River, as well as the new baseball stadium from above the outfield bleachers. Three Rivers Apartment residents would be able to travel to a ball game via the skyride.

Fort Wayne residents don't want to see 150' poles sticking out of the ground. However, they may be inspired to accept tram towers if it brings something unique to the downtown area.

John B. Kalb said...

Dave - That really is a good idea. Al la the Chicago El and Wrigley Field. We could call it the "Fort Wayne What the El". (Trying to be funny - I do like the idea - especially from Harrison Square out along, or even over, the old Pennsy R.R tracks out to the expanding commercial area around Jefferson Pointe.

Anonymous said...

Thanks John.

One point of clarification, unlike Chicago's El, this system would be an aerial tram (enclosed cabins suspended by cables from support towers). I believe this is preferable as the tram's 'footprint' is markedly less than a rail-based system, reducing rights-of-way and property acquisition issues (there may be some aerial rights issues to be resolved). The City already owns the land where most of the towers would be located, thus reducing the project's overall cost.

Dave MacDonald

Anonymous said...

Sorry. That last sentence was nonsense.

The point is moot regarding who owns the property now. Project costs would not be reduced if the City currently owns the land, unless of course I were suggesting that the project would be funded with taxpayer dollars. I'm not.

Sorry for the confusion.

- Dave

Luke said...

I'm confused. Am I at the baseball blog or Change Fort Wayne?