Pensacola Stormwater Project Forces Radio Tower Relocation

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 16, 2024

ADX Communications

The Long Hollow Stormwater Pond in Pensacola is set for a significant expansion, prompting the planned removal of a radio tower that currently supports one AM station and six FM stations, reports WEAR-TV's Sarah Gail. This change is part of the city's larger Hollis T. Williams stormwater park project, which aims to mitigate flooding by increasing stormwater capacity.

The Pensacola City Council approved the expansion last Thursday, marking a step forward in the city's flood control efforts. However, for local radio broadcasters, the project presents a unique challenge. The tower, which plays a crucial role during emergencies such as hurricanes, will need to be relocated to ensure continuous service.

"When the chips are down, like when we had a hurricane last week, local radio stations were vital in keeping people informed and helping their families," ADX Communications owner Dave Hoxeng told WEAR-TV. He emphasized the importance of maintaining reliable broadcasting capabilities in emergencies.

The stormwater park project is expected to help prevent downtown flooding by enlarging the stormwater pond. "The city's thought is if they can dig it out bigger, they can store more water, and less water will flow downtown, which is a great idea," Hoxeng said. However, finding a new location for the tower has become a pressing concern for the broadcasters.

Both Hoxeng and Robert Hill, owner of WRNE-AM 980, support the stormwater project but stress that the tower relocation must be handled carefully. "Location and height are everything when it comes to broadcasting," Hoxeng explained, noting that losing tower height would drastically reduce the stations' listening areas.

Hill echoed these concerns, particularly for FM stations, which rely heavily on the height of the tower to ensure broad signal coverage. "That height is everything," said Hill.

The city has identified the Edgewood Tower, a city-owned structure, as a potential new location for the broadcasters. However, no formal agreement has been reached. Hoxeng and Hill expressed concerns about the lack of firm commitments from the city regarding the new tower.

If the existing tower cannot be moved to an appropriate location, broadcasters face the costly and time-consuming process of building a new 400-foot tower. "The worst-case scenario is having to build another tower, which could take over a year due to the permitting process," added Hoxeng.

The city plans to demolish the current tower within the next 12 to 18 months. In the meantime, local broadcasters hope a solution will be found to ensure their stations remain operational during future storms. Hoxeng stressed the urgency: "We wouldn't want to be without a good place to broadcast from when the next hurricane comes, for instance."