Cell phone provider Verizon has decided against placing a cell tower atop Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Bend.
As reported by the Source in June, a group of parents at Amity Creek Magnet School, as well as neighbors adjacent to Trinity Episcopal, had opposed the placement of the tower, due to concerns about potential exposure to electromagnetic radiation. At that time, Heidi Flato, a spokesperson for Verizon, told the Source that the move was intended to address "service related concerns ranging from slow data performance to dropped calls."
Flato told the Source Weekly Tuesday that Verizon is no longer pursuing the Trinity Episcopal Church project, instead placing a temporary installation at Bend's City Hall.
"This summer, we installed a temporary cell site at City Hall to improve coverage and capacity in the downtown area," Flato said. City of Bend Communications Director Anne Aurand confirmed the presence of a temporary tower at City Hall Tuesday, saying the city currently receives no compensation for the tower—though cell service has markedly improved.
