Reese Phifer Radio and Satellite Farm Relocation

The Reese Phifer Radio & Satellite Farm Relocation project (“Project”) is necessary to relocate the existing satellite dishes and antennas from the Reese Phifer area and tower to the existing University of Alabama Police Department (UAPD) tower site on Campus Drive East. The tower located adjacent to Reese Phifer was erected in 1955 and is owned by Alabama Public Television (API). Due to the age and type of the tower, recurring maintenance is required and APT is dependent on state funding and limited donations to maintain the tower. The location in the core of campus is not optimal.

The UAPD tower site, located east of campus, was constructed with space reserved on the tower to accommodate the antennas currently residing on the Reese Phifer tower. In addition, there is undeveloped land, located to the west of the UAPD tower site, available for constructing a satellite farm to house the satellite dishes being relocated and their respective supporting equipment.

This Project includes all necessary network and fiber connections, site development, infrastructure, equipment relocation, and generator required to support the facility and to maintain operational effectiveness. Following relocation, the existing radio tower and remaining satellite dishes will be removed from the area immediately adjacent to Reese Phifer and the area will be available for redevelopment. This will greatly improve the aesthetics of the Reese Phifer Hall common grounds and the Colonial Drive area as well as improve the campus visuals.

Proposed scope additions and enhancements were identified during the evaluation of the programming documents and design process after reengaging the Project. These include:

• A larger site-built equipment shelter in lieu of prefabricated at the UAPD tower site dedicated to support the equipment being located onsite. Lead times for prefabricated shelters have markedly increased due to the increase in the telecom industry related to broadband fiber deployment and the loss of a key fabricator.
• Replacement Satellite equipment (including dishes and supporting equipment) in lieu of relocating existing equipment due to technology changes during the time of suspension of the project.
• Additional consulting services required to coordinate new and existing equipment on the existing cell tower, and to complete all required tower recertifications at the conclusion of the project.