The law enforcement center in Jefferson is due to receive an expensive upgrade for free.

Greene County Chief Deputy Jack Williams tells Raccoon Valley Radio that they are getting a new communications tower from Verizon Wireless. He says they got a call from Verizon Wireless about replacing their current tower, which is 50 years old, with a new cell tower.

The reason why Verizon Wireless wants to put a cell tower at the LEC is due to the City of Jefferson’s ordinances and restrictions with cell towers, that they couldn’t put it anywhere else. The location was approved by the Jefferson Planning and Zoning Commission. The current tower is owned by the County, but the new tower would be owned by Verizon.

Verizon has also agreed to pay for the maintenance of the tower and the taxes for it, which Williams points out that they will actually make money from the agreement.

Williams thought a new tower would cost about $500,000, but he points out they are fortunate to be able to get a new tower for free. It will take about 18 months until the new tower is installed.