Story posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Alderman Doesn't Like Sight Of 'U-Verse' Boxes
Representatives from AT&T at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, July 13 answered questions about installing the required boxes for the U-Verse cable system proposed for Park Ridge.
The company's legal department stated they believe they do not have to pay building permit fees for the 36 connection boxes it needs to serve the city. Review and permit fees would total $36,000. However, the company offered the city $1,500 per box it could spend on landscaping around the boxes, an offer of $54,000. In addition, going forward, AT&T will pay the city 6% of its gross revenue from Park Ridge residents.
Ald. Jim Allegretti (4th) spoke against the connection boxes that are frequently located in municipality parkways, calling them "unsightly and unsafe." He also asked if residents could request the box be placed in the rear yard instead of the front.
"We do have some latitude over the placement of those cabinets," said David Strahl, director of external affairs for AT&T. However, he explained the new boxes must be wired to the existing cross connect boxes already in place through the city.
However, he also explained that if the city and the company could not agree on a placement for the new boxes, parts of the city might not be served with the new product.
Strahl said the new service in the city could generate additional income if current satellite television users or people without cable switch to the U-Verse system.
Aldermen will consider the company's position at a future meeting. Several local municipalities already have the boxes in their utility rights-of-way including Des Plaines, Niles, Wheeling, Arlington Hts., Hoffman Estates, and Schaumburg.
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