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Communications Office - Media Releases

CONTACT: Mark Sexton, Communications Coordinator
PHONE: (352) 374-5204; CELL: (352) 283-2317
EMAIL: msexton@alachuacounty.us

For Immediate Release



Public Safety Communication Tower Deconstruction

6/23/2011 11:40 AM

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Public Safety communications tower located at the County's Public Works Hague Facility (5620 NW 120th Lane, Gainesville) is being dismantled. For safety reasons, it has been determined that this tower can no longer stand. Through today and tomorrow crews will be dismantling the tower using cranes. As part of the plan for demolition, all County Public Safety communications equipment was temporarily relocated to another tower site.  A new 350' guyed tower is planned to be built at the site.

The 350’ guyed tower was originally constructed in January, 1972. When inspected by Angle Tower in June, 2006, it was determined at that time that the tower was unsafe to climb. Because this tower is greater than 250’ and also due to its proximity to the Gainesville Regional Airport, anti-collision lights are required. In March, 2011 the top light on the tower went out and thus began the process to demolish the tower. In most cases, towers are demolished by a controlled drop. In this case, because the tower cannot be climbed, two cranes are required to dismantle the tower starting from the top. Safety regulations do not permit a load bearing crane to also support personnel so one crane is used to harness the tower and a second crane is used to carry the basket from which the crew operates.

For questions and information about accessing the deconstruction site, contact Alachua County E911 Coordinator, Keith Godwin at 352-494-8600.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in order to participate in a County program, service or public meeting, please contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office at (352)374-5275 at least 3 business days prior to the event. TTY users please call 711 (Florida Relay Service).

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