Lakewood Ranch church lands cell tower deal

Better reception will be provided by another East County church.

Cellular reception.

North American Towers plans to construct a 195-foot cellular communications tower disguised as a cross on the property of Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 14605 59th Ave. E., Bradenton.

The proposed tower, which is undergoing county review and the permitting process, is located near the center of Risen Savior’s 10-acre property at the northeast corner of Lorraine Road and 59th Avenue East, Bradenton.

David Travis, who serves on Risen Savior’s board of directors, said discussions with North American Towers have been ongoing for about seven months and construction is expected to begin on the tower in about three months.

“They’re in the final stages of the permitting now,” he said.

Construction is estimated to take four months. The anchor cell carrier hasn’t been announced.

Church leadership likes that the tower is disguised and will give the church property more visibility. It also will create an additional revenue stream for the church, which has about 70 members.

“It sounded like a pretty good deal, so we elected to do it,” Travis said. “We’re hoping to use a lot of that for outreach. We really want to put money to help people and organizations as we see a need. It gives us an opportunity we wouldn’t normally be able to do.”

The church will receive a monthly base payment, Travis declined providing specifics, and an additional amount for up to four more carriers.

Fellow board member David Rindfleish said the location of the tower is strategic because it also gives Risen Savior enough property to expand in the future, possibly with a day care or school, if it ever decided to do so.

Ridan Industries currently is constructing a cross-disguised tower at Christian Retreat, off Upper Manatee River Road. Verizon will be the anchor carrier.