Village secures lucrative 20 year cell tower lease extension

In a recent government meeting, the Village of Lake Bluff approved a resolution for the fourth amendment to its site agreement with Crown Castle regarding the use of a wireless facility at the Public Safety Building located at 45 East Center Avenue. The decision follows a long-standing relationship that began in 1991 when the village entered into a 20-year lease with Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, allowing for the installation of a 150-foot cell tower.

Over the past three decades, the original agreement has undergone three amendments, addressing various updates including equipment replacements and the addition of T-Mobile as a carrier. With the current lease set to expire in 2026, the village initiated negotiations with Crown Castle over a year ago to secure favorable terms for the future.

The newly approved amendment establishes a new lease term that will extend until 2046, providing the village with a one-time signing bonus of $100,000 and an increase in annual rent to $67,733, which includes a 3% annual escalator. Additionally, the agreement allows for a 50% share of payments from DISH Wireless, should they become a new carrier.

In exchange, Crown Castle will have the first right of refusal for the tower, ensuring a long-term partnership. Village staff noted that the terms of this agreement are competitive compared to other municipal cell tower leases in the North Shore area, leading to a recommendation for approval.