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City considers taking ownership of Birch Hill radio tower; vendor interest could generate revenue
Summary
Staff told council the borough plans to transfer a 200-foot tower on Birch Hill to the city (not the land); the tower is currently borough-owned and school-district-operated, and a vendor has expressed interest in leasing space for radio-based internet services.
Staff reported the Fairbanks North Star Borough will transfer ownership of a 200-foot communications tower on Birch Hill to the City of Fairbanks, but the borough will not convey the land under the structure.
"It is owned by the borough. It's operated by the school district... The city of Fairbanks is the only user of that tower at this time," staff member Mike Sanders told the council, noting the structure is used as an emergency-communications backup. He said the borough indicated turnover could take another six months to a year.
A private vendor has completed an assessment and expressed interest in renting space on the tower to provide radio-based internet; staff said the borough won't rent to the vendor until the tower is transferred. Council members asked about maintenance responsibility, potential lease revenue, and the borough's reasons for withholding the land deed. Sanders said maintenance needs appeared modest and the vendor reported the tower to be in good condition.
Council asked staff to continue negotiations, to return with more detail on maintenance costs and potential rental terms when the borough is ready to transfer the tower.
