March 15, 2006

New Cell Antenna to Boost Campus Reception

Mary Donlon Hall Site Will Upgrade North Campus, Cayuga Heights and Campus In-Building Reception

Verizon Wireless and Cornell University Real Estate have contracted to locate a new cellular telephone antenna on Mary Donlon Hall.  The 10-year deal will provide improved cell service for North Campus and Cayuga Heights residential areas, currently served by antennae on Barton Hall and Rt. 366.  The antenna will extend eight feet above the roof line and be constructed to minimize its appearance.  Co-locating cell antennae on existing facilities minimizes their appearance versus stand-alone towers.  And, unlike radio antennae, the transmitted cell signal is weak and doesn't present health threats.

In the last three years Cornell Real Estate has placed four new cell sites around the periphery of campus in an effort to improve service for students, faculty and staff.  Additionally, an in-building cell antenna was placed in of Martha Van Rensselaer Hall to improve in-building service.  Providers include Verizon, Cingular, and Nextel/Sprint.  Talks are presently underway with T-Mobile.

Verizon will present the project to the City of Ithaca Planning Board on March 28th. 

Please direct questions to Sally Taylor, Cornell University Real Estate, 607-266-7875.