LinkNYC 5G tower in Bushwick.
Photo credit: Max Parrott
U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler has jumped into the fight over the city’s massive new 5G antenna tower in Manhattan, where residents are leaning railings against cell phone poles.
Nadler wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on Wednesday, asking the agency to reconsider the proposed installation of LinkNYC 5G towers throughout New York City’s historic districts.
“At first glance, the proposed design and large footprint of these 32-foot-tall towers seems unrelated to the historic nature of these neighborhoods and adds to the consistent streetscape of the neighborhoods that New York City has worked so hard to create. will have an adverse impact on the landmark New York City landmark that has remained in place since its establishment in 1965,” Nadler wrote in the letter.
In response, the city’s Office of Technology and Innovation argued that the installation of the 5G poles already complies with all federal regulations regarding historic preservation.
“We are complying with all local, state and federal regulations as we move forward with this effort, including further engagement with the required Landmarks Commission. The proposed kiosk in the historic district is , cannot proceed without the involvement and approval of these organizations,” an OTI spokesperson said in a statement.
Last summer, the city agreed to: Approximately 2,000 units installed I earned a Silver Pole through the LinkNYC program. The structure will provide housing for the telecommunications company to install its 5G antenna, free short-range Wi-Fi and advertising space.
Nadler’s criticism follows similar reactions among a small number of community boards across his district. Manhattan Community Boards 2, 5, 8, and 9 each issued statements calling on the city to delay or cancel the installation of such poles.
The councilor wrote that he was concerned about the impact the poles would have on Manhattan’s historic neighborhoods, particularly the Upper East Side, Expanded Carnegie Hill, Park Avenue, Soho Cast Iron, and Morningside Heights. .
The provisions of the Historic Preservation Act he cited require federal agencies to evaluate the impact of their actions on historic buildings and to consider the public’s opinions and concerns about historic preservation.
So far, objections in community board forums have focused primarily on the tower’s height, proximity to buildings, visual design, and the potential for new technology to pose a threat to public health. The focus is on the department’s concerns. Although the FCC and FDA have declared 5G technology safe based on current guidelines, residents argued that relying solely on federal regulations without additional state and local oversight is not enough.
Mr. Nadler joins other politicians who have pushed back on cities across the polar regions. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine wrote: critical letter In January, he wrote to OTI asking for more efforts to reach out to the public and to make utility poles less conspicuous.
