Retaining current wireless customers and attracting new ones requires providing broad, effective coverage. A global wireless carrier, which serves more than 3 million telecom customers in 14 of the top 25 metropolitan areas in the United States, faced many challenges, including the need to access wireless sites in known historic landmark districts of New York City.
Before implementing the proposed expansion project, the wireless carrier had to acquire at least 48 new wireless sites in some of New York City’s most notable landmarks and historical districts, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lexington Armory, American Museum of Natural History, Greenwich Village, Central Park West, Soho and many others. The New York Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) oversees a stringent, complex review and authorization process for such projects. Applicants must demonstrate that proposed telecommunications sites will not impact significant features of buildings or historic districts.
In the past, this carrier had to use three vendors to execute the process — one doing site acquisition work, another providing the engineering and a third consulting on LPC criteria. But that approach created its own challenges. So the carrier turned to Black & Veatch for site acquisition services, leasing, (acquiring a Certificate of No Effect from the LPC and permitting) and complete architectural and telecom engineering services.
Engaging all stakeholders — property owners, building managers and representatives — as active participants was the key to success, and Black & Veatch and the client collaborated on a unique approach. Site visits were conducted for each landmark location. The visits created opportunities to discuss plans for each site and to address potential concerns or issues early on. Due to the tight schedule, Black & Veatch also offered 24-hour engineering services via its Pune, India, office, thereby speeding up the turnaround of design documents.
Facilitating site acquisition and development has maximized wireless coverage for residents, as well as millions of visitors, while safeguarding the city’s heritage and its historic, aesthetic and cultural districts.
