AGENCY REQUEST FOR
STATE BUILDING COMMISSION ACTION
August 11, 2011
Project # 11G1X
AGENCY: Educational Communications Board
REQUEST: The ECB requests Authority to design, bid and construct a replacement tower for WHSA-FM in Brule, Wisconsin at a total cost of $595,100 ($360,100 in GFSB and $235,000 FED).
PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SCOPE:
This project would fund the purchase and installation of a 400 foot radio tower at WHSA-FM in Brule and the removal/disposition of the current tower. The project will include site preparation including the installation of a concrete base. The ECB currently has a small transmitter building at this site. There will be no new building or land acquisition requirements associated with this project
This project was enumerated in the 2011-2013 Capital Budget.
JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT:
The ECB is the licensee for 16 public radio stations. This tower is the same design and age as the WHHI Highland tower which we replaced during the 2007-2009 biennium. Dating back to the 1950’s the WHSA tower in Brule is the oldest remaining radio tower in the system. The WHSA tower is a self-supporting 413 foot tower providing radio coverage to Northwestern Wisconsin. Recent inspection reports reveal rust, corrosion and general deterioration. The basic design of the tower does not currently meet federal or state (TIA/EIA RS-222) requirements), nor can it be modified to meet the current standards. This tower was grandfathered under the engineering standards in place in the 1950s.
ECB first identified this project as a need in our six year plan submitted with the 2007-2009 biennial budget. At that time we opted to spread out the cost of replacing the WHHI and WHSA towers over two biennia. The WHHI tower was our highest priority and was replaced first. The WHSA tower was submitted as part of our Capital Budget Request for 2009-2011 but was deferred at that time due to budget limitations. Four years have passed since the initial request.
Tower life expectancies are estimated at less than forty years. This tower has exceeded the life expectancy by nearly 20 years. While we do not believe that the tower is in imminent danger of collapse, it is certainly susceptible to high winds. A tower collapse could take the station off the air for several months. This 50+ year old structure will continue to deteriorate and needs to be replaced for safety purposes and to minimize the chance of down time.
BUDGET AND SCHEDULE:
The ECB was successful in obtaining a Federal Grant from the Public Telecommunications Facilities program in what became their final round of grant awards. The total projected budget is:
PROJECT BUDGET:
Tower and related equipment $ 483,000
A/E Services $ 42,500
DFD fees @ 4% $ 21,300
Contingency @ 7% $ 48,300
Total Request $ 595,100
PROJECT SCHEDULE:
Program Approval / AUG 2011A/E Selection / AUG 2011
Bid Date / MAR 2012
Start of Purchasing / APR 2012
Substantial Completion / OCT 2012
Final Completion / NOV 2012
PREVIOUS ACTION:
This project was enumerated at $521,700 General Fund Supported Borrowing in 2011 Wisconsin Act 32.
AGENCY CONTACT:
Steve Bauder (715)632-2827,