Operators of Christian WAKW-FM are selling 12 acres by its College Hill tower, studios, school and church for 2016 Citirama 鈥� but the money won鈥檛 go to the station鈥檚 $195,000 campaign to upgrade aging broadcasting equipment.
Thirty-six homes will be built on an extension of Collegevue Place, which now dead-ends at three Pillar of Fire Church entities: WAKW-FM (Star 93.3), Eden Grove Academy and City Church. The Cincinnati Planning Commission approved plans for the Gershom Grove subdivision last month.
Proceeds from the property sale will go 鈥渋n the bank,鈥� and not to fund the church, school or radio station, says John Archer, Pillar of Fire building and grounds superintendent.
鈥淭his is huge for us. We鈥檙e going to get sidewalks on the west side of Collegevue," Archer says. There are no sidewalks on either side of the street from North Bend Road for students who walk to school. A "Watch For Pedestrians In Roadway" sign is posted on Collegevue near North Bend. When it snows, students walk in the street to school, he says.
Star 93.3 has been fund-raising to replace the 20-year-old analog transmitter with a digital transmitter; a 40-year-old production room audio board; and 25-year-old audio board and equipment in the main studio.
鈥淲e're at a crucial point, where the need is urgent,鈥� says the .
鈥淥ver the past year, STAR 93.3 has been off the air for up to 5 minutes - several times鈥�. (The transmitter) is now over 20 years old. The transmitter manufacturer has since gone out of business. Thankfully, there is one person left that can repair STAR 93.3's transmitter. However, parts are no longer being produced and the time is coming soon when the parts will not be available. Simply put, we're approaching a time when the transmitter will not be operational,鈥� the site says.
The fund drive would provide a new HD transmitter ($125,000); antenna ($20,000); main studio ($20,000); back-up studios ($20,000); and a processor ($10,000).
The Thomas J. Ackermann Co. is developing Gershom Grove, which 鈥渨ould feature new homes with prices between $250,000 and $300,000,鈥� according to the .
College Hill also hosted Citirama 2014 on 24 lots in Witherby Meadows, near North Bend Road and Connecticut Avenue.
