Fashionable NY Neighborhood Balks at “Ugly” Small Cell Towers

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UPDATE Bucking the expression “you can’t fight city hall,” some angry New Yorkers are letting Mayor Eric Adams know they’re displeased with a plan that would plant several 32-foot cell towers in their neighborhood. As the New York Post reports, there’s an effort underway to install a network of cell towers throughout the city. The concern among many residents in the posh Upper East Side is that the structures are not visually appealing and take away from the overall glamor of the upscale Madison Avenue shopping district.

“We need to help make it more elegant… not make it uglier,” said resident Radames Soto. Soto questioned the need for cell towers at all, noting that “our service is great, our WiFi is great.” 

Madison Avenue Business Improvement District Matthew Bauer stated, “it doesn’t seem fair. It doesn’t seem right,” upon learning that three of the proposed 5G cell towers would be coming to this part of town.

“Our office is receiving numerous complaints regarding the 18 additional Link NYC sites that have been proposed for the Upper East Side,” said State Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright. “While we understand the importance of expanding access to critical telecommunication tools, community level input is essential. With great concern from our neighbors for a rushed implementation, I request a moratorium on further expansion of 5G on the Upper East Side before residents can weigh in on the proposed sites.” Seawright’s comments were directed towards Mayor Adams’ office.

“I do share my constituents’ concerns about installing towers in residential areas where they will surely be obtrusive,” added East Side Councilman Keith Powers. The New York Post labeled Powers and others as NIMBY’s who have not been receptive to Mayor Adams’ plan to make reliable broadband coverage available to all New Yorkers.

“When it comes to digital services, we know that too many New Yorkers have been left behind,” Mayor Adams previously noted. “Our administration is committed to changing that and ensuring that all of our city’s residents have access to tech services, no matter where they live.” 

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