The coastal town of Sequim, Washington already has established digital connectivity. However, plans to revise the antenna arrangement on a local grain elevator have some residents in an uproar. As the Sequim Gazette reports, current cell tower occupant Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, has proposed replacing some of its outdated equipment. The concern from some quarters is that the new components will compromise the visual integrity of the historic structure.
“While coverage is certainly important and the existing antennas have been in place for many years, our principal desire is to preserve the historical integrity of the building and eliminate and/or limit modifications that detract from the building’s current and future use and enjoyment,” stated grainery owner Ryan Schaafsma. He and co-owner Jason Hoffman have said that they want to restore the original appearance of the building.
They are also behind an effort to get the structure listed in the national historic registry.
Verizon is set to begin its modifications later this month, but pushback from the community could put a halt to the work. The existing equipment is located on the outside of the tower. Various proposals have suggested placing the equipment inside the grainery versus attaching the equipment to the outside the silo.
The owners have complained about either approach, saying that they want to keep the indoor space open for tourism, and they want to keep the outside unblemished by cell tower antennas. Schaafsma and Hoffman have said that Verizon is “barely willing to talk” with them. Other than relocating the cell tower equipment, the owners have not offered a solution that would allow Verizon to keep the wireless service in operation.
According to the Sequim Gazette, the city of Sequim needs to give the go-ahead before any renovations can take place.
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