Rejoice mobile-device users. Anna Maria’s cell tower will become a reality.
An official groundbreaking is planned for 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at city hall.
Workers from UCI Construction Services of Tampa began Feb. 11 to make room for the cell tower at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. A project three years in the making, the tower is scheduled to be up and operating in May.
The communications tower will rise from an elevated platform over the city parking lot on Spring Avenue.
Building official Bob Welch said, “The work won’t officially start until the groundbreaking Feb. 20, then the city will also get the initial payment of $365,000 from the lease-holder, Florida Tower Partners.
Brett Buggeln, president of Florida Tower Partners, said, “This is a huge investment for us and for the city. We will do our best to provide the best service.”
Mayor Dan Murphy said the tower construction is a great opportunity for Anna Maria.
AT&T and Verizon have expressed interest in placing cell antennas at the site.
UCI Construction workers are clearing out plants and trees from the parking area. When they finish removing any tree stumps and debris, a crew will begin putting in the foundation.
“Pretty soon the drilling crew will come in and start making the necessary holes,” said UCI Construction worker Steve Sutton. “They’ll be filled in with concrete and the supporting pylons. After it sets for a few days, everything will be ready to begin.”
Construction work won’t begin until Feb. 23 and is expected to be completed by the end of March, Buggeln said. “Once the infrastructure is finished, we’ll start placing the utility lines and antenna platforms. After everything’s ready, the service companies will come in and install their antennas for full-service operation.”
Aware of residents’ feelings about having a metal tower jutting from Anna Maria’s skyline, Welch said that after the antennas are hooked up, Florida Tower Partners plan on placing billboard-like false fronts around the top of the tower.
“The plan is to help camouflage the structure,” said Welch. “They’re going to ‘hide’ the antennas with pictures of trees from around the area.”
The central tower structure will remain galvanized gray. Welch said that studies have shown that the gray is a better color for a disguise against the sky. “Believe it or not, studies have shown it won’t stick out as much as blue or white would.”
Parking is being considered. The tower will be placed on an elevated platform above the current parking area. There will be no loss of parking spots under the tower and around city hall.
Florida Tower Partners’ lease for the tower will be for an initial five-year term. When the lease is up, Florida Tower Partners has the right to extend it for seven additional five-year terms.
Overall, the estimated cost of construction for the tower is $250,000.