MRC approves 30-year lease with Atlas Tower for Colson Drive telecommunications site
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Summary
The Muncie Redevelopment Commission voted to approve a lease with Atlas Tower 1 LLC to site a 125-foot monopole on the 1700 block of North Colson Drive, contingent on legal review and zoning approval; commissioners had earlier voted down a motion to delay consideration.
The Muncie Redevelopment Commission voted to move forward with a lease agreement proposal from Atlas Tower 1 LLC to install a 125-foot monopole telecommunications tower on property in the 1700 block of North Colson Drive.
The commission approved the proposal contingent on a legal review and final zoning approvals and granted authority to the city’s staff member working the transaction to finalize terms and conditions. Commissioners said the site would host equipment for up to four wireless providers and was intended to improve local mobile coverage and first-responder communications in an area the applicant described as “severely lacking reliable network coverage and capacity.”
The commission discussed the RFP process and the site’s limited development potential because of a flood-zone designation and low appraised value. Commissioners noted the city published an RFP through the Muncie City Clerk’s Office with a deadline of Oct. 13, 2025; Atlas Tower submitted the lone proposal. The documents on file with the commission describe a 50-by-50-foot lease footprint and a base-station compound at the monopole.
According to the proposal materials reviewed by the commission, the applicant offered a one-time payment of $96,000 and a monthly rental of $500, on a proposed 360-month term (30 years) with up to four five-year extensions. Commissioners contrasted that offer with appraisals the city obtained that placed the property’s value between about $2,500 and $5,000 and a county assessor value just under $2,400.
Commissioners debated whether to set the item under advisement for 30 days for additional staff review. A motion to table the proposal for 30 days failed on a 2–3 vote. The commission then approved the proposal with the conditions noted: legal review, zoning approval and authority for staff to finalize the agreement’s terms.
Legal and zoning clearances remain pending. The lease agreement language submitted by the applicant indicates equipment would be removed on natural termination or if the facility ceases operation; the commission asked staff to confirm those removal terms during legal review.
Votes at a glance: the tabling motion failed (Bishop: yes; Dale: yes; Miller: no; Prabilla: no; Wagner: no). The subsequent motion to approve the Atlas Tower proposal as amended passed (Bishop: yes; Dale: yes; Miller: yes; Prabilla: yes; Wagner: yes).
The commission also asked staff to follow up on the planning and zoning review the applicant mentioned in its materials before the city signs any lease.
