Despite previous reluctance, Truesdale city leaders have approved construction of a nearly 500-foot radio tower along Veterans Memorial Parkway.

Truesdale’s Board of Aldermen was convinced to allow the project after meeting on June 23 with East Central Broadcasting company owner Louis Eckelkamp and property owners George and Dana Heath. Aldermen had previously expressed significant concern over having a tower close to several nearby businesses, neighborhoods, and the busy Interstate 70 corridor, fearing the fallout of a future tower collapse.

Eckelkamp and the Heaths sought to relieve those concerns with reassurances that both their companies would be invested in keeping the tower well maintained to prevent any structural problems.

“We’re planning to build a first-class tower. ... We wouldn’t make the investment if we couldn’t maintain it,” said Eckelkamp, who explained that he’s been involved in radio broadcasting for more than 20 years and has owned multiple similarly-sized towers in Missouri.

Eckelkamp also said that with the city’s approval to build a tower, his company would proceed with engineering for the structure and will provide the engineering plans for the city’s records. He added that all of the plans will also have to comply with Federal Communications Commission regulations.

“We will be good corporate citizens,” Eckelkamp commented.

He also discussed several other details of the project, including plans for a third-party maintenance agreement for the tower and the availability of broadcasting mounts for other communication companies and mobile data providers. He said interested companies would be able to rent space on the tower.

“Towers these days ... are the new telephone poles. As everything goes to your cell phone or another device, that connectivity is imperative for business and individual use,” Eckelkamp commented.

Mayor Chris Watson said the potential use for cell phone providers could be beneficial for the citizens of Truesdale, which he said is a point in favor of the project.

Alderman Robert Green, who has been vocally wary of the tower construction, said he wouldn’t oppose it as long as the Heaths, who own the property, understand the details of the project and agree with it. The Heaths also own the building that houses the Hart Collision repair shop, the only building within 500 feet of the tower site.

“We feel safe with the structure being there on the property,” replied George Heath. He elaborated that his development business is in negotiations with East Central Broadcasting about who will own the tower and what the business arrangement will look like.

With all that considered, aldermen voted 3-0 to permit the radio tower to move forward with construction. Alderman Mike Thomas abstained because he is an employee of the KWRE/KFAV radio station in Warrenton.