Everett, Wash.
Published: Saturday, September 1, 2007

KRKO begins work on new radio towers

Neighbors are asking the FCC not to grant the station permits it needs.

By Jeff Switzer, Herald Writer

 After years of rancor and debate, construction has begun on four KRKO radio towers south of Snohomish, with plans to begin broadcasting in January.

The towers the tallest measuring 349 feet and the other three each 199 feet tall are expected to send 1380-AM's radio signals for dozens of miles around.

Once operational, the station will increase its broadcasting power tenfold, from 5,000 watts to 50,000 watts.

"We're going to be able to get inside buildings better," said Andy Skotdal, KRKO general manager. "We're going to reach commuters who are coming home from Bellevue and Seattle much better. We're trying to reach the locals."

S-R Broadcasting, owners of KRKO 1380-AM, began driving pilings into the ground for the project on Aug. 21. Concrete foundations will be poured soon, Skotdal said.

"This thing's been going on for 10 years and it's time for it to be over," Skotdal said.

A group that has opposed the project for several years says the construction is premature. The Federal Communications Commission is still reviewing a permit for KRKO to broadcast using the new towers. No building should happen before the permit is granted, the group says.

The group has failed to reverse land-use permits approved by Snohomish County. They argue that the towers will damage the scenery and quality of life and cause health impacts that haven't been adequately addressed.

"I don't believe the public costs are being weighed," Angela Day, a member of Citizens to Preserve the Upper Snohomish River Valley. "There are a lot of unknowns. Science is ahead of the regulation on this."

The station broadcasts sports talk and Everett Silvertips and Aquasox games. It has been in business since 1922.

The station in 2000 applied for its Federal Communications Commission permit for the new towers, Skotdal said, and amended it a few times since. FCC staff held up the permit while local appeals of building permits played out, Skotdal said.

"Since we've won those proceedings, in this instance it's a matter of time," Skotdal said.

An application for the station is pending, said David Fiske, director of the FCC's office of media relations.

Some work is allowed in the meantime, Skotdal said.

"As far as we're concerned, we've got what we need to do the work we're doing right now," Skotdal said. "There is a certain amount of construction you can do regardless of what happens at the federal level. We are complying 100 percent with the rules and the permits that have been issued."

The Federal Aviation Administration requires certain lighting and painting schemes for structures 350 feet and 200 feet tall. As a result, only the tallest KRKO tower will have a red flashing beacon.

The company also has applied to build two more towers on the site for a possible second radio station, Skotdal said. As proposed, each measures 199 feet tall and would be able to broadcast up to 50,000 more watts, Skotdal said.

Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA