Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I missed this one until now, but it seems the radio tower array at Cary Parkway and James Jackson is proposed for redevelopment. 26 acres, 600 units (450 multifamily, 150 townhomes).
There was evidently a neighborhood meeting last month. I live pretty close by, but was not aware of it and have no idea what went on there. Some of you guys are "in the know", I was hoping for some more details or updates.
I for one am happy to live in a growing area and am glad to welcome more residents to our town, especially in a conveniently located infill development like this.
I'm not surprised that they're cashing in on the real estate. This is happening to many AM stations, especially those that have multiple towers needed to create a highly directional signal as WPTK currently does. It's difficult to turn a significant profit with a low-power or moderate-power AM station anymore. The 5 towers also have 5 times the maintenance costs.
Currently the station is 10 kilowatts daytime, 5 kilowatts night. After relocation the station will have a non-directional signal on a single tower, with 9 kilowatts daytime but only 120 watts at night. Good luck getting 850 at night if you live more than a few miles from the WPTF site. If you like their programming it's available on the HD2 of the very strong WQDR-FM (94.7) or on several low-power translators in the area at 104.7.
I'm not surprised that they're cashing in on the real estate. This is happening to many AM stations, especially those that have multiple towers needed to create a highly directional signal as WPTK currently does. It's difficult to turn a significant profit with a low-power or moderate-power AM station anymore. The 5 towers also have 5 times the maintenance costs.
Currently the station is 10 kilowatts daytime, 5 kilowatts night. After relocation the station will have a non-directional signal on a single tower, with 9 kilowatts daytime but only 120 watts at night. Good luck getting 850 at night if you live more than a few miles from the WPTF site. If you like their programming it's available on the HD2 of the very strong WQDR-FM (94.7) or on several low-power translators in the area at 104.7.
I honestly wonder how much longer the WPTF towers will last at this rate, too.. That's a similar-sized lot to WPTK, in a comparable location.
Only drawback is the big natural gas tank next door... living right next to that probably wouldn't be my first choice.
I honestly wonder how much longer the WPTF towers will last at this rate, too.. That's a similar-sized lot to WPTK, in a comparable location.
Only drawback is the big natural gas tank next door... living right next to that probably wouldn't be my first choice.
That will undoubtedly be developed at some point. Cary included it in their Eastern Gateway study with an eye toward transit-oriented multifamily.
Wish the PSNC facility could move to a less prime location, but obviously that would be a huge undertaking and they're even building some new facilities there now, so clearly no near-term plans for relocation.
The grade separation of Maynard and the extension/realignment/separation of Trinity could start the ball rolling for development.
It's more difficult to relocate WTPF 680, which is a 50 kilowatt station and must use a directional antenna at night -- at least two towers, in other words -- to prevent interference with other stations. At a low frequency like 680, those towers must be relatively tall, meaning that the guy wires will spread over a larger distance. Also, at least one FM station is hung off the antenna. Curtis Media would have to move it too. (For AM, the tower *is* the antenna. For FM and TV, the antennas are attached to the tower.)
680 is the highest-rated AM station in the Triangle (https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb115). That's not saying much these days, but I suspect it generates positive cash flow for Curtis.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
