Cell Tower News: Verizon lease agreement funds veteran memorial park

Town uses tower lease agreement for good

Almost every week without fail there are a slew of stories about cities across the U.S. protesting the placement of new cell towers. Recently, the township of Hampden, Pa., bucked this trend by not only allowing a new cell tower in their city, but also using the money gained from the leasing agreement for a noble purpose. The money will go toward the building of a veterans memorial park.

City commissioners signed a conditional lease agreement with Verizon Wireless. While the yearly lease amount is $21,600, the first two years will be paid up front as a lump sum. The length of the lease agreement was not disclosed at the time of the announcement.

The veterans memorial park will be 18 acres and includes a general park area, a memorial, a paved walking path, a stream crossing and some parking spaces. The land itself was donated by Giant Foods. The overall project will cost much more than the year leasing amount, with the first phase of construction expected to cost $127,000 and construction of the memorial estimated at $514,000. Still, it’s nice to see news of both a cell tower lease agreement and Verizon Wireless that is positive, and honors our veterans.

RCR Wireless News’ Joey Jackson had the opportunity to interview U.S. Navy veteran Mike Winkle, who found a second career as a tower climber trainer with Bluestream Tower Academy.