While talk of castles and towers may conjure images of stone fortresses with banners waving, many residents in New Castle County, Delaware, would rejoice to see more simple cell towers dot the landscape. An estimated sixty percent of Delaware’s population lives in New Castle County, leaving many, like resident Clinton Middleton, wondering how there can still be notable service gaps in the area.
Middleton, who lives in Middletown, no relation, told Delaware Online that his house is in a dead zone. He said there are times when he and his wife are lucky to get one bar or service at all, which is problematic when they need to work from home. He has tried working with his three different providers, he stated, but cannot achieve adequate connectivity.
“I was shocked that such a populated area with many homes was left uncovered,” said Middleton. “It seems this should be a larger priority for the leadership in the state and for the cellular companies.”
There are plans underway to build more cell towers in New Castle County, noted County Executive Matt Meyer, but it will take time. Last August, he announced plans to construct three new towers in the southern region but bidding issues have delayed the implementation of those plans.
Director of Strategic Communications for New Castle County, Brian Cunningham, has indicated that the cell tower proposed for the Hockessin Police Athletic League site is making forward progress. He noted that the Land Use committee is currently engaged in the review process.
No updates were provided for the other two towers, according to Delaware Online. If approved, one would be situated at the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in Middletown, with the second Middletown tower scheduled for placement on Back Creek Drive.
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