STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Vibrant
AGENDA DATE: June 11, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Office of Arts and Culture
EXECUTIVE: M. Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize an amendment to an existing lease agreement to American Tower Corporation dba American Towers LLC to use the one five-year renewal options for each the primary and the auxiliary radio broadcast towers: the Cowboy Tower and the Milton Tower - Not to exceed $1,045,845.79 - Financing: WRR Enterprise Fund, with total reimbursement by vendor
Body
BACKGROUND
WRR 101.1FM officially began broadcasting in 1921, initially licensed for municipal and police transmissions for the City of Dallas. It later expanded its programming to include comedies, dramas, news, and sports, before eventually focusing on classical music in 1964. WRR became the first licensed radio station in Texas and the second in the United States. Making it the second oldest radio station in America, WRR is now 103 years old as of 2024.
Operated by the Office of Arts and Culture (OAC) as an Enterprise Fund, WRR is an integral component of the City’s commitment to supporting our local arts organizations and providing information about arts experiences to Dallas residents and the nearly eight million North Texas residents capable of receiving the station’s signal.
In 2021, the City of Dallas explored alternative operating models for the station due to eight consecutive years of lower-than-expected revenue. They concluded that private management would be better suited to operate the station.
On June 3, 2022, The Dallas City Council approved an agreement between North Texas Public Broadcasting Inc., (“NTPB”) and the City of Dallas to manage Dallas-based classical music station WRR 101.1 FM. In this agreement, NTPB agreed to pay for all City-incurred expenses for operation of the station.
NTPB is an excellent management partner, assisting WRR in expanding its audience, staying current with industry and technological advancements, and delivering top-tier classical music programming to audiences.
This amendment permits the continued broadcasting of WRR 101.1 FM. WRR, a Class C full-time classical FM radio station, transmits 100,000 watts to the Dallas-Fort Worth area from Cowboy Tower in Cedar Hill.
This amendment would include a five-year renewal option for each primary and auxiliary tower, with a lease cost totaling $1,039,845.79. An additional $6,000.00 is allocated for Common Area Maintenance (CAM) reimbursement charges over the same period, making the combined cost $1,045,845.79.
The five-year renewal will begin on July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030.
As per the management agreement with NTPB, lease expenses will be reimbursed, ensuring no costs are incurred.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 8, 2005, the City Council authorized two twenty-year leases with American Tower, with one five-year renewal option for each, the primary and auxiliary towers, Cowboy Tower and Milton Tower by Resolution No. 05-1722.
On June 3, 2022, the City Council authorized a seven-year management and facility agreement with North Texas Public Broadcasting (“NTPB”) dba KERA for the management and operation of WRR and Fair Park studio by Resolution No. 22-0876.
The Quality of Life Arts and Culture Committee will be briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on June 9, 2025.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2024-25 |
FY 2025-26 |
Future Years |
|
WRR Enterprise Fund |
$63,142.93 |
$192,715.32 |
$789,987.54 |
This action has an initial cost to the City funded through dedicated WRR Enterprise Fund.
The management and facility agreement with KERA requires all expenses related to the operational costs of WRR incurred by the City of Dallas be reimbursed by KERA including the leases of the two broadcast towers.